Tenderness

To my knowledge this flick never even hit the screens in Toronto before it was relegated to DVD which is a shame as this one is a mighty fine sleeper. Like anything based on the late Robert Cormier's work this is not feel good fare and you know a happy ending is far from likely but it won't stop you from watching. Though marketing would have you believe TENDERNESS stars Russell Crowe it is in fact a small but signifigant part. It's a testament to his skill as an actor how effective he is with so little screen time and Laura Dern, with even less, manages to accomplish the same. The lion's share of work falls on on Foster and homegirl Sophie Traub who respond well John Polson's direction. Polson, who recently was involved with HAPPY TOWN, has a natural feel for this sort of material and rather than going for the jugular takes his time to build the tension all of it leading to an ending you probably won't see coming. Would have liked to have seen a bit more of Alexis Dziena but she too makes great use of the time given. Not a late night screener as it is slow in some parts but well worth a peek and certainly one of the better adaptations of Cormier's material.