Tenderness

It has beeen almost two months since I had reported to Murph, that the long awaited film “ Tenderness: would screen for an audience. It would be viewed during a test screening at a theater in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles. Murph asked me if I would review this film.

That screening did take place and  I did go. And some time has passed. Part of the delay –has been travel, work, and personal commitments—and part of the delay was due to my reaction when I saw the film.

Russell Crowe plays Lt. Cristofuro. He is a police detective . He informs other characters and the audience, that he is retired from active service, but he still gets himself involved in special cases. One of the reasons he is retired – seems to be because he is a part time caregiver. His wife Jackie—lies in a vegetative state in a facility.  It is not clear—at least with the test print we saw—why she is in the state she is in. One of the most tender moments in the film  is when he spends a moment with his wife.  There is still love. But his wife does not respond.  If one were to compare Cristofuro with Richie Roberts—both men have their personal lives in  turmoil.  But the comparison would end there.

One of the special cases Russell’s character is interested in involves a youth named Eric Poole.  Eric Poole is played very well by Jon Foster [ed note: brother of Ben - 3:10 to Yuma]. We meet Eric while he  has been in prison. He has been an inmate for a number of years—because this young man is no ordinary adolescent or young adult. He was incarcerated for the murder of the Komenko family. His family—for a reason that to our horror – we do become aware of. Just before the young man is released, Lt. Cristofuro comes to visit Poole. In the course of the conversation—we learn that the police officer is not trying to figure the kid out—he already has an opinion—that the kid is a psychopathic killer—and will probably kill again. He is determined that the kid will not kill again… and hopes to put the kid back in prison – although a release is imminent.

Poole is released and he goes to live with his aunt. She is played by Laura Dern.  It becomes obvious that not only did she lose her family to this kid’s murderous activity—but she is still afraid of him.  Poole might look and act normal—but just under the surface –he is very unstable.  He apparently has complete freedom when he is released – and  eventually leaves to go on a road trip—to supposedly check out colleges. The reality might not be so.

On this trip—he finds a young 15 year old girl –who has become a stoleaway in the back seat of his car. This is not really an incidental event in the life of a young run away. This is a troubled young girl who seems fascinated by this killer. Together –they become at times uneasy companions on a road trip—which either will be innocent or result in the death of some one else.  Sophie Traub does an excellent job playing Lori the girl.

Once they are on the road—they are pursued by Cristofuro.  But this does not have the tension as we saw in the “Fugitive” –at least not yet.

 Traub is a young Canadian actress. If you wish for some fan information—you can go to Sophie Online. 

I cannot fault the performances of any of the principal actors, nor the supporting players. Russell as usual does a very good job. However though the opening credits list his name first – the real stars of this film are Jon Foster and Sophie Traub.  Russell however does stand on his own.

Now my problem reviewing this film. Did I like it ? Yes I did?  Did I like the performances? Yes I did.  Did I like the music Yes I did.  The problem lies in how it is currently described. It is supposed to be a thriller. 

For me it did not quite pay–off as a thriller. At least in the origional Psycho—we saw what the killer was capable of – in such  moments such as  the shower scene – or when the police officer goes up the stairs—only to fall to his death.  In “Tenderness” there are some potential  moments – a very good moment in a state park restroom, another in an amusement park, another –when Cristofuro enters a trailer – the kids had stopped at.  But do we get the expected carnage? Well I won’t say here—but it just did not pay off for me.   If Lionsgate markets this film as is—I am certain Crowe fans will see it—but it would not be a hit the way “3:10  to Yuma” was—unless it is released in limited release.  If they release this film and market it as a character study of  some troubled people—and everyone in the film--–including our cop – has some issue — this film [ed note: Directed by John Polson] — could go well—but don’t expect a blockbuster.  But then I don’t think Russell always chooses projects which have to be block busters.

So I do recommend it –but I currently have some reservations – as to how it should be marketed—if they don’t re-edit—etc:

Don’t miss this film—but don’t expect this to be the frightening or tense thriller as it is now being marketed.

Gayle-Lynne