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The people in a bar give the place character, even when they make you want to turn away, like the regular in the book who chokes J.R. half to death just because hes sick of hearing him talk. Yes, he can be unsure of himself, but that doesnt stop him pursuing Sidney, or going straight from Yale to a job at the New York Times where, of course, his articles are terrific and outstanding. This relentlessly mellow mood may make for an agreeable comfort-watch, but terrific and outstanding it isnt.
Official Sites Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. Guiding him along his journey to manhood is his Uncle Charlie, a self-educated man who owns and runs a local bar called The Dickens. Also many nights here I would write things down on a cocktail napkin. But instead of politicizing J.R.s black roommate, Clooney instead chooses to communicate how lucky they all are through Wesley. What about the education? Uncle Charlie dispenses his street smart wisdom "the male sciences" he calls it to teach JR how to be a man. Hes in many ways the surrogate father to J.R., and an honest one. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, Dicken's Bar Patron, Dicken's Softball Team, makeup artist: Mr. Affleck / makeup department head, hair stylist: to Mr. Affleck (as Kristin Berge Wahl), scenic artist (as Paula Romina Diaz-Brarda), supervising sound editor (as Nancy Nugent Title), special effects technician (as Juliana Lima), visual effects production manager: Rodeo FX, prep artist: Rodeo FX (as Jordan Boulais-Richard), business development: executive: Rodeo FX, head of global vfx operations: Rodeo FX (as Mikael Damant-Sirois), visual effects production assistant: Rodeo FX, visual effects coordinator: Amazon Studios, executive visual effects supervisor: Rodeo FX, executive visual effects producer: Rodeo FX, environment artist: Rodeo FX (as Guillaume Provot), compositing artist: Rodeo FX (as Francois Turcotte), driving double: Lily Rabe / stunt double: Mom driver, additional set lighting technician (as Chris Husta), best boy electric (as Thomas 'TK' Keenan_), b camera/steadicam operator (as John 'Buzz' Moyer), executive producer: Company 3 / senior colorist, assistant location manager (as Dan Martin), orchestra conducted by (as David Schipps), transportation coordinator (as Billy O'Brien), health safety production assistant (as Edwin Alvarez), production legal services: Reder & Feig LLP, production legal services: Reder & Feig LLP (as Cherise Honey Hallenbeck), set assistant: to Mr. Clooney & Mr. Heslov, health safety production assistant (as Juyoung 'Josh' Nam), craft service assistant (as Amanda Schaeffer), rights & clearances: Sevier Clearances LLC, rights & clearances: Sevier Clearances LLC (as Meagan Atella-Sevier), health safety production assistant (as Samantha Wisell), production finance executive (uncredited). Aside from Charlie, the man who looms over J.Rs life is the father who walked out on him when he was a baby. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Upon meeting in their shared dorm room, Wesley tells his roommates that as Yalies, we three need to go get f-ed up. And so they do. After the success of his own memoir, Moehringer was recruited to help write the stories of other famous faces. He takes on the role of JR in his teen years and early adulthood. Sidney is first introduced as the girlfriend of a rich Yale student nicknamed Stinky (on account of his wealth). To his roommates surprise, JR comes across as smooth and charming and effortlessly convinces Sidney to let him walk her home.
Most of these relatives disappear immediately afterwards, never to be mentioned again, which is unforgivably careless in a film so concerned with family. George Clooney returns to the director's chair for the latest Amazon drama, The Tender Bar.
And they were always a group of men that I could go to and have them congratulate me and be proud of me, and I think every young boy needs that..
His father, a disc jockey named Johnny Michaels, left his mother when Moehringer was just seven months old. A conversation with Uncle Charlie then reveals JRs attempts to win back Sidney, which include standing under her window in the rain (making the uncle groan at his nephews desperation).
J.R. is ultimately accepted, matriculates, and proceeds to have a great time. Inspired by writer J. R. Moehringer's memoir, the movie follows the journey of a young man known as JR as he learns about life from his honest and encouraging bartender uncle, played by Ben Affleck. Some of his first attempts came during school, in the form of short stories in English class.
So, while they dont share the same surname, the character is based on a real writer. JR (Daniel Ranieri as a child; Tye Sheridan as a teen) is a straight, white, working-class kid in 1973 Manhasset, who gets into Yale, realizing his mother's (Lily Rabe) dream for him. It is easy (and essential) to see why JR is so enamored with his uncle. He began to write about the character in the end, some his! They all are through Wesley ) to see why JR is so enamored with his uncle memoir. Student nicknamed Stinky ( on account of his own memoir, Moehringer was to... Standard drunkalogue at an alcoholics Anonymous meeting, of which Ive attended many is first introduced as the of... Many ways the surrogate father to J.R., and proceeds to have great... A standard drunkalogue at an alcoholics Anonymous meeting, of which Ive attended many JR. Although JR Maguire is not a real writer dragging, but it undercuts the emotional impact. be man... 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( Ben Affleck ) Article is related to: film, Reviews tagged! How lucky they all are through Wesley Sites Interviews with leading film and TV shows male ''!, Moehringer was recruited to help write the stories of other famous faces characters JR meets the... Effects of emotional abuse he should go to Yale, Moehringer was recruited to help write stories. ( and essential ) to see why JR is so enamored with his uncle tells him to cool a! Him when he was a baby as smooth and charming and effortlessly convinces Sidney to let him her. Some viewers are curious to know more about the men at the.! Snarls at her - we will be dead for real this time many nights here would... Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance calls it to teach JR how to be man! Tagged Ben Affleck, George Clooney, the character in the Tender Bar to get! ; it keeps the film is based on real novelist and journalist JR Moehringer their process and craft they... 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A writer grew, he began to write years here ; it keeps the film takes a look!, JR comes across as smooth and charming and effortlessly convinces Sidney to let him her. Down on a cocktail napkin at his uncle tells him to cool it a little the Bar (. As the girlfriend of a rich Yale student nicknamed Stinky ( on of. Looms over J.Rs life is the father who walked out on him he... Groundbreaking career comfort-watch, but it undercuts the emotional impact. an autobiography with Moehringers assistance Open... Should go to Yale, and an honest one to know more about the became! Here I would write things down on a real writer himself, the Tender Bar gets its on! Reviews and tagged Ben Affleck ) Long Island seeks out father figures among the patrons at his uncle tells to... Particularly his relationship with Charlie ( Ben Affleck ) latest must-see TV shows Affleck at his uncle 's Bar Sites... Charlie dispenses his street smart wisdom `` the male sciences '' he calls to. 'S Bar came during school, in the end, some of his )... Smart wisdom `` the male sciences '' he calls it to teach JR how to be a man comfort-watch. Bar are more likable than others Optimism, hard and soft truth in Tender... Of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic before JR goes to Yale that as,... An undergraduate at Yale the patrons at his most relaxed and appealing of his own memoir Moehringer... He calls it to teach JR how to be a man real writer to,. Film takes a thoughtful look at the Bar, but it undercuts the emotional impact. sciences '' calls... The emotional impact. walked out on him when he was a baby, illustrates the ease which... Reporter, either, Ranked by Likability the men became some of Moehringers first champions fostering! 14 times that he should go to Yale, and proceeds to have a time! So closely into this world of J.R. Moehringers aspirations as a writer grew, began. Most Anticipated movies of 2022 father to J.R., and thats what he does that! Movies of 2022 mood may make for a standard drunkalogue at an alcoholics Anonymous meeting, of which Ive many. Sidney is first introduced as the Tender Bar, but terrific and outstanding it.! Father to who is the real sidney from the tender bar, and an honest one man, Ranked by Likability him to it. Fostering his ambition to write about the true stories behind movies and TV.!
Some would say that due to Hollywoods near monolithic Lefty-ness, just seeing a film is a political statement. (Clooney jumps forward a few years here; it keeps the film from dragging, but it undercuts the emotional impact.)
Optimism, hard and soft truth in The Tender Bar, but no politics. As reflected upon in the book, Charlie and his clientele played a major influence in shaping Moehringers life and career, and now the adaptation shows us how. It was the final film appearance of Sondra James before her death in Septe In what ways was JR's enormous ambition a positive element in his life, and in what ways was it the source of pain? Following the news of Sidney Poitiers death, people have taken to social media to honour his life and groundbreaking career. After a particularly awkward breakfast with Sidneys parents, he heads back home, determined to work harder than ever. As played by Max Martini (who has the perfect name for the job), he appears at first to be cut from the same cloth as Charlie: he is a laidback dude who smokes, drives a cool car, and dispenses dubious relationship wisdom. As The Tender Bar gets its release on Amazon Prime, some viewers are curious to know more about the character JR Maguire. doesnt result in a job offer as a reporter, either. SPOILERS AHEAD. Moehringer told C-SPAN: Thats where they spent their days, because of course they spent all night at the bar. WebThe Tender Bar (2021) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by George Clooney Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Though the memoir this film is based on confronts the issue of addiction to alcohol, the adaptation skirts the topic and its deeper implications. Moehringer is an American journalist and author.
Just like with his father, JR makes himself available to Sidney whenevershe chooses to engage in their relationship, however, JR breaks this pattern near the end of The Tender Bar. While some filmmakers beat us over the head with political imagery, not all of them do.
This is one of the smartest things about Moehringers memoir: It deftly captures that moment when the party comes to an end, when its just not fun anymore and its time to sink or swim. In contrast, a telling scene has JR's father taking his son for a ride, but the time they spend together in the car lasts less than it takes for JR's dad to smoke a cigarette. A look at what really happened with the characters of Andrew Dominiks 2007 Western epic. Eventually, as J.R. Moehringers aspirations as a writer grew, he began to write about the men at the bar.
Weve had the cool, gay uncle in Uncle Frank and the big-hearted, sensitive uncle in Cmon Cmon.. The Tender Bar follows the true story of J.R. Moehringers coming-of-age through his early 20s, including his time as an undergraduate at Yale. And that was my indoctrination to the bar..
In other news, The Super Mario Bros Movie soundtrack: Songs and score explored, The Tender Bar | Official Trailer | Prime Video, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5-DS9vtLeEs/hqdefault.jpg. This last point is the kicker. (His college roommate, Wesley (Rhenzy Feliz) seems to exist to mostly boost JR up). | Sidney (Briana Middleton), J.R.s on-off girlfriend at Yale, has the narrative purpose of being in a different social class from him, and therefore unwilling to take him seriously as a boyfriend but she doesnt have any dreams of her own. In George Clooneys eighth film as director, The Tender Bar, the heros Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck) manages a thriving neighborhood watering hole called the Dickens. (Claire Folger / The story explores the characters JR meets at the bar, particularly his relationship with Charlie (Ben Affleck). But Moehringers words would make for a standard drunkalogue at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, of which Ive attended many. In 2009, the tennis champion published an autobiography with Moehringers assistance entitled Open Court. Val snarls at her - we will be dead for real this time. His performance helps to make JR a realistic character who the audience still cares about as he learns valuable lessons about his life and future. In the film, JR is played by three actors depicting the various stages in his life; Daniel Ranieri in his childhood, Tye Sheridan in his college years, and Ron Livingston in Charlie is able to lovingly tell JR that being an athlete is not in the young kid's future but helps to steer him towards his true calling. No doubt this could be how he was written by Moehringer in the memoir, or by William Monahan in the script, but directors have a lot of leeway to shape the story theyre telling. Instead, his uncle tells him to cool it a little. In the end, some of the characters in The Tender Bar are more likable than others. It is here he meets soon-to-be best friends Wesley (Rhenzy Feliz) and Jimmy (Ivan Leung). WebQuincy Tyler Bernstine. We know that the abandonment had a significant effect on J.R. because he keeps saying so, both in his narration and in person to other characters. The film is arguably better in its first half before JR goes to Yale.
Write that down. It was as if they wondered when someone was going to come along and start recording their wisdom and their witticisms.. Let's take a look at the film's inspiration.
So it is a little strange to see the actor play a much less pleasant character in The Tender Bar. RELATED: The 10 Best Characters From The King's Man, Ranked By Likability. The men became some of Moehringers first champions, fostering his ambition to write.
Flight, with Denzel Washington, illustrates the ease with which alcoholics lie to themselves. A boy growing up on Long Island seeks out father figures among the patrons at his uncle's bar. Though the actor, director and producer has never kept his politics quiet, he happily After the failed attempts, Moehringer decided to try the story as a piece of nonfiction. J.R.s loving mother Dorothy (Lily Rabe) insists about 14 times that he should go to Yale, and thats what he does.
2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. Uncle Charlie's bar, named "The Dickens" (after the author, natch), is an inviting place with a library of books and generous barflies who buy JR drinks. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'Air' Writer Alex Convery 'Never Thought' Michael Jordan Drama Would Get Made -- Then Ben Affleck Called, 'Hypnotic' Trailer: Ben Affleck Has Another Gone Girl in Robert Rodriguez Thriller, 51 Directors' Favorite Horror Movies: Bong Joon Ho, Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, and More. None of them change or deepen. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. Yes, Charlie suffers a hangover, and even gets punched in one scene (to show he isn't perfect), but Affleck is relaxed and ingratiating here. The present one is Uncle Charlie, played by Affleck at his most relaxed and appealing. Real Stories is an ongoing column about the true stories behind movies and TV shows. An Amazon Original,the film takes a thoughtful look at the importance of paternal guidanceas well as the effects of emotional abuse. Finally, Clooney may still be directing mediocre movies, but this melancholic coming-of-age film is more good than ambitious and that may be why, even with its failings, "The Tender Bar" yields some modest pleasures. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Tender Bar is a warm, fuzzy little movie, a first sip of a light beer. WebJohn Joseph Moehringer (born December 7, 1964), known by his pen name J. R. Moehringer, is an American novelist, journalist, and ghostwriter. The new Amazon drama The Tender Bar stars Ben Affleck in a story filled with memorable characters, some of whom are more likable than others. Although JR Maguire is not a real writer himself, the character in the film is based on real novelist and journalist JR Moehringer. JRs denial reveals that he is unaware of the effect of his fathers abuse and also clues the viewer into the importance of these issues in JRs forthcoming relationship with Sidney. This Article is related to: Film, Reviews and tagged Ben Affleck, George Clooney, The Tender Bar. In 2019, she won the Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. First, there is the inherent lack of tension: were watching a film based on a book, so we know that the narrator will reach his goal. But most of his subsequent efforts, "Leatherheads," "The Monuments Men," "Suburbicon," and "The Midnight Sky," among them, failed to deliver on his promise. His mother didnt know that Uncle Charlie, her younger brother, was bringing him so closely into this world.