The Tender Bar - Review

Rating: 3 out of 5

AT A time when there is so much toxicity and negativity in the world, George Clooney's The Tender Bar is one of those rare movies that delivers some much-needed positivity, albeit on a low-key scale.

Based on the best-selling memoir by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist JR Moehringer, the film is essentially the type of coming-of-age story we've seen done countless times before. But thanks to some genuinely endearing performances - most notable from Ben Affleck - this drama exhibits enough heart and enough hope to feel nicely timed.

The story follows the fortunes of JR, a kid forced to move back in to his grandfather's house as his mum seeks to escape an abusive husband and father in the hope of offering her son a brighter future. JR is played as a little boy by newcomer Daniel Ranieri and as a grown-up by Tye Sheridan.

JR's guiding light throughout these formative years is his Uncle Charlie (Affleck), in whose pub, the Dickens, he learns most of his life lessons, as well as a passion for reading and writing.

The first half of the film is largely occupied with Ranieri's life lessons and form, arguably, the most enjoyable part of the film - allowing Affleck the chance to shine as the smart-mouthed, book-obsessed but kind-hearted uncle, while also providing a slyly affecting child performance from the winning Ranieri - a neat combination of wide-eyed wonder and breezy innocence.

Once Sheridan takes over as JR and navigates between Yale life and love, as well as New Jersey, the film starts to feel even more constrained by its genre tropes and loses some of its early momentum.

But thanks to the goodwill generated by its earlier scenes, we've come to know and love the characters well enough to enjoy the rest of the time spent in their company. And the father-son element underpinning it between Affleck's uncle and JR is very nicely played.

The Tender Bar doesn't offer up too many grandstanding moments, and conducts proceedings at its own leisurely pace, which may be a little too slow and lackadaisical for some tastes.

But its inherent ability to see the goodness in people remains notable and Clooney is more than happy to allow the characters to ingratiate themselves through the strength of the performances - with the likes of Christopher Lloyd, as the curmudgeonly grandfather, and Lily Rabe, as JR's long-suffering but resolute mum, also standing out.

Hence, The Tender Bar emerges as an easy watch that passes the time amiably - a lot like its final scene, over the end credits, which recalls a trip to the beach with Ranieri, Affleck and their group of friends. It recalls a simpler, more neighbourly time - albeit one that has been informed by the trauma that the world can so easily inflict.