The Tender Bar (film)
The Tender Bar is a 2021 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by George Clooney from a screenplay by William Monahan. Adapted from the 2005 memoir of the same name by J. R. Moehringer, it recounts Moehringer's life growing up on Long Island. It stars Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Daniel Ranieri, Lily Rabe, and Christopher Lloyd. It was the final film appearance of Sondra James before her death in September 2021. It received a limited release on December 17, 2021 by Amazon Studios; then was widely released on December 22, prior to its  streaming debut on Prime Video on January 7, 2022. It received mixed reviews, though Affleck was nominated for the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance. Premise. Set in 1970s Long Island, nine-year-old JR Maguire and his mother Dorothy move back in with his grandparents following the dissolution of her relationship with his father. There, he forms a bond with his Uncle Charlie, the owner of a local bar. Charlie acts as a surrogate father to JR and encourages him in his pursuit of becoming a successful writer. JR’s mother is determined that he  will go to Yale or Harvard and become a lawyer. Production. The project initially began development in 2013 at Sony Pictures and Chernin Entertainment, with Ted Melfi set as writer and director. Upon his exit, Sony placed the project into turnaround, with Amazon Studios picking up the rights in July 2020. George Clooney entered negotiations to direct the film from a screenplay by William Monahan. Clooney was also attached to produce the film alongside his Smokehouse Pictures producing partner Grant Heslov. Ted Hope was also announced as a producer under his first-look deal at Amazon Studios. Clooney was confirmed  as director in December 2020, with Ben Affleck entering negotiations to star. Affleck's role was confirmed in February 2021, along with the casting of Tye Sheridan and Lily Rabe as the leads. In March 2021, Christopher Lloyd, Sondra James, Max Martini, Michael Braun, Matthew Delamater, Max Casella, Rhenzy Feliz, Ivan Leung, Briana Middleton, and Daniel Ranieri joined the cast. Principal photography began on February 22, 2021 at various locations in Eastern Massachusetts, and concluded on April 14. Filming sites included the Belvidere neighborhood of Lowell; the Granite Park neighborhood of Braintree; and a vacant restaurant building at South Shore  Plaza, also in Braintree. Release. The film premiered at the London Film Festival on October 10, 2021. It had a limited theatrical release on December 17, 2021, prior to streaming on Prime Video on January 7, 2022. Reception. Critical response. A. O. Scott of "The New York Times" wrote: "It’s not the kind of movie that will knock you out, but it won’t leave you with a headache and a dry mouth, either. It’s a generous pour and a mellow buzz." Sheri Linden of "The Hollywood Reporter" wrote: "If it struggles to find a rhythm, especially in  the early going, there’s no question that it sends you off on a gentle high."