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The Tender Bar

Posted on January 28, 2022February 5, 2022 by Village Vidiot

“The Tender Bar,” January 28, 2022 (2021), Amazon Prime.  J R Moehringer’s memoir forms the basis for this George Clooney-directed look at a young man, his family, and his efforts to figure out who and what he is.  J R (Kyle Sheridan older/Daniel Ranieri younger) is the son of a divorced single mom (Lily Rabe) and her ex, The Voice, an irresponsible drunken DJ/Radio Personality (aren’t they always?).  Mom’s difficulties in 1973 lead them back home to Long Island where her extended family owns a bar, and Grandpa, an irascible Christopher Lloyd grudgingly provides housing.  Bar owner, Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck in a superb turn) takes JR under his wing and, with his bar’s patrons, provides tutelage in his version of maleness.  It’s an early 60s/70s version of white working-class maleness, to be sure, but that and the chaotic but loving community help this prodigy accomplish more than he ever otherwise might.  Admission to Yale leads to class and personal growth along with the usual failures associated with swimming with the elite, both male and female and occupational.  And all along he listens to the father in the radio who is no parent at all.  It’s a very well done, smart, well-acted, well-directed, and humane look at family, friends, and growth in a community often disparaged for its conservatism.  This one is a winner, and as noted above, Affleck really shines.

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