The Tender Bar
Amazon Studios | Release Date: December 17, 2021
5.6
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 51 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
19
Mixed:
24
Negative:
8
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
TVJerryDec 23, 2021
This film is based on the memoir about the author’s coming of age in Long Island. It starts in the 70s when the boy (Daniel Ranieri) and his mom (Lily Rabe) move in with her parents. Turns out his uncle (Ben Affleck) lives there too and heThis film is based on the memoir about the author’s coming of age in Long Island. It starts in the 70s when the boy (Daniel Ranieri) and his mom (Lily Rabe) move in with her parents. Turns out his uncle (Ben Affleck) lives there too and he essentially assumes the guiding role in the boy’s life. The story continues with the boy as a young man (Tye Sheridan) still trying to find his place in life and deal with his absentee father. Since George Clooney is directing, you can expect genuine performances and it’s true here with Affleck being especially tough and tender. Clooney has effectively captured the personalities of the family and friends, with an emphasis on their New York accents and attitudes. While the narrative is pretty predictable and the writing isn’t especially evocative, the winning performances are the film’s strongest asset.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
silviaebarberJan 7, 2022
I like this movie the story is Heartwarming. Ben Affleck is great. Go see this movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
MattyIce34Dec 20, 2021
Affleck is really good, and the film itself is harmless, but George Clooney is just a pretty bland director...
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
WatchinMoviesJan 9, 2022
It was a pleasant movie of a young boy and the quirky family, and adults, around him as he grows up. It was an average movie and Ben Affleck was good so I think a '6' makes is "pleasant". One can watch the movie and do other things at the same time.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
MetacriticOnurJan 22, 2022
bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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4
bertobellamyJan 7, 2022
Can't believe this was written by the same guy who penned 'The Departed.'

I didn't know the guy who is this about — the journalist J. R. Moehringer —, but now I know that he won the Pulitzer. But, honestly, his young life didn't seem thatCan't believe this was written by the same guy who penned 'The Departed.'

I didn't know the guy who is this about — the journalist J. R. Moehringer —, but now I know that he won the Pulitzer. But, honestly, his young life didn't seem that interesting. What did George Clooney and William Monahan see to think otherwise? Apart from the story, the erratic editing, and the odd zoom-in shots —like if you were watching 'Modern Family' or something — certainly didn't help.

In the end, 'The Tender Bar' is just another Prime Video coming-of-age bland film with an annoying voice-over and cool uncles.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
bfoore90Jan 27, 2022
Saw this last night after work. This was a pleasant film with a great performance by Ben Affleck
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Brent_MarchantFeb 9, 2022
Were it not for its fine period piece production values, its bouncy nostalgic soundtrack and a surprisingly good supporting performance by Ben Affleck, this coming of age memoir offers virtually nothing else engaging, noteworthy or memorable.Were it not for its fine period piece production values, its bouncy nostalgic soundtrack and a surprisingly good supporting performance by Ben Affleck, this coming of age memoir offers virtually nothing else engaging, noteworthy or memorable. This latest release from director George Clooney -- who really needs to spend more time in front of the camera than behind it -- tells the stunningly dull tale of an aspiring young writer who grows up in a largely dysfunctional Long Island family in the 1970s and '80s. Unfortunately, the film's cliche-ridden narrative is all over the map and wholly generic, presenting a collection of story threads that feels as if it's been selectively culled and sloppily stitched together from any number of other releases in this genre. What's more, a number of story elements and characters are introduced and subsequently dropped, leaving viewers hanging about what happened to them, while others are mercilessly revisited, prompting viewers to plead that the picture get on with itself already. Affleck's portrayal helps to keep the pace moving and modestly interesting at times, but, if it weren't for that, this would otherwise be a painfully tedious watch -- something it's not too far from to begin with. Growing up is generally more captivating than this, and a film about that process certainly should be as well.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
migdalorguyJan 22, 2022
"The Tender Bar" is yet another retread coming of age memoir, but it's deftly handled enough by the cast that it still tugs at your heartstrings a bit. Which is enough for me. That said, there's just nothing all that compelling about the"The Tender Bar" is yet another retread coming of age memoir, but it's deftly handled enough by the cast that it still tugs at your heartstrings a bit. Which is enough for me. That said, there's just nothing all that compelling about the characters (though I've not read the book, so perhaps it does get short-changed in the film adaptation) that makes them and their story any more compelling. If you're going to do verismo, at least choose interesting characters. These characters are all stereotypes. Stereotypes of people I grew up with, but stereotypes nonetheless.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
alejandro970Jan 21, 2022
As a biographical drama, it has its charm through its cast and a pace that is not tiring. Its Achilles heel is perhaps that it lacks something for the viewer to feel empathy towards the characters. The intention was good, of course, and it isAs a biographical drama, it has its charm through its cast and a pace that is not tiring. Its Achilles heel is perhaps that it lacks something for the viewer to feel empathy towards the characters. The intention was good, of course, and it is not entirely lost.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLuis_001Jan 12, 2022
After the mediocre and disappointing The Midnight Sky, George Clooney tries again in the director's chair with a much more humble story and style, but once again fails miserably in what I think is the most disappointing film of his entireAfter the mediocre and disappointing The Midnight Sky, George Clooney tries again in the director's chair with a much more humble story and style, but once again fails miserably in what I think is the most disappointing film of his entire career. At least the most simplistic one so far.

The Tender Bar is formulaic to the very core.
It's so predictable that it feels like a painfully lazy effort that involves everyone in the cast. Yes, even Ben Affleck and Christopher Loyd.
The only one who seems interested in showing a little more is Tye Sheridan, I guess it's because he's the one who still has something to prove.

However, what kills this film is the recycling of ideas and clichés. It's simply overwhelming.

The Tender Bar is an incredibly disappointing film, because it doesn't even make the attempt to differentiate itself. To even say, ''I'm walking a different path.''

Coming-of-age stories exist in abundance, so you desperately need your plot and concept to be much more interesting, and personally in this story I didn't find anything I haven't seen before on countless other occasions.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
HannibalBJan 9, 2022
Generally good performances can't save this aimless, plotless, and boring movie. The casting is mystifying too because the main character doesn't remotely resemble himself at different ages, and makes one drastic change in ethnicity--and IGenerally good performances can't save this aimless, plotless, and boring movie. The casting is mystifying too because the main character doesn't remotely resemble himself at different ages, and makes one drastic change in ethnicity--and I don't think this was intentional. I felt like I'd see all this before, as if this movie were cobbled together from a dozen others.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Mauro_LanariJan 8, 2022
(Mauro Lanari)
The film's mood and feeling are enclosed in its final song, "Do It Again" by Steely Dan, an extraordinary track from 1972 albeit with a flaw: it lasts a little too much, doesn't have enough ideas to justify its duration. All(Mauro Lanari)
The film's mood and feeling are enclosed in its final song, "Do It Again" by Steely Dan, an extraordinary track from 1972 albeit with a flaw: it lasts a little too much, doesn't have enough ideas to justify its duration. All the more reason the problem afflicts Clooney's 104 minutes that seem an uninterrupted expression of the "current of tenderness" attributed by Freud to the latency stage, as if the protagonist's libido had remained fixed to it even after puberty and the onset of adult sexual activity. And Affleck's role as a paternal surrogate is the same one he had towards Damon in "Will Hunting".… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
DawdlingPoetJan 20, 2022
This is a nice film which is quite nostalgic for the time its set in. I thought it looked quite stylish. It features a good cast and some good dialogue. Its about the importance of a father figure and wanting to write as a career, I suppose.This is a nice film which is quite nostalgic for the time its set in. I thought it looked quite stylish. It features a good cast and some good dialogue. Its about the importance of a father figure and wanting to write as a career, I suppose. Its fairly thought provoking and I enjoyed the musical score.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
AcidCasualJan 12, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When you start watching the film, you think it's going to be this soprano, goodfellas mash up with good music and cool screenplay. It's not. It's more a sit-com.

It's funny, it's charming. And the actors do a really good job. However, with story's that cover serious subjects like cancer, domestic violence and internal struggle. Nothing bad happens, its almost like everyone has a shield around them and us as viewers are being protected. 30mins in, you know no matter what happens, nothing bad is going to happen.

I know it's based on memoir, so we expect a deep dive. but at least get us on the edge of our seats.

For what it's worth, the script was really good.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
benjanzenFeb 28, 2022
The Tender Bar has a messy script and just isn’t a story with enough meat to create any depth or momentum… but I still liked it? I grew to like this family and their dynamics, with Ben Affleck being the definite standout. Clooney plays itThe Tender Bar has a messy script and just isn’t a story with enough meat to create any depth or momentum… but I still liked it? I grew to like this family and their dynamics, with Ben Affleck being the definite standout. Clooney plays it safe with the direction but it serves the story well enough.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
CLAYTAYLOR21Jan 7, 2022
The Tender Bar is a really well acted and shot movie with some great themes about dealing with conflict, finding a purpose, and the importance of family. Unfortunately, it falls short of its full potential because of a thoroughlyThe Tender Bar is a really well acted and shot movie with some great themes about dealing with conflict, finding a purpose, and the importance of family. Unfortunately, it falls short of its full potential because of a thoroughly uninteresting and scattered plot that never fully grabbed my attention. I also despised the usage of voiceover in this film as it felt like it was only included to explain things to the audience that shouldn't have needed explaining. Even with all of these problems, I'm still giving The Tender Bar a mixed review rather than a negative one because I genuinely did enjoy parts of this film. The first half hour where JR is still a child was engrossing. I thought that Ben Affleck, the acting standout, was particularly able to shine here. I was also a fan of some of the cinematography as creative shots were used to make dialogue filled scenes more interesting. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but if you like slower dramas then give this one a shot.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
NicocoricoFeb 10, 2022
A fun light hearted first half with a nice 70's vibe and soundtrack but after that the movie drags all the way and doesn't have much of a point story wise.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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