Tenderness (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2009
Director: John Polson
Cast: Russell Crowe, Jon Foster, Sophie Traub, Alexis Dziena, Laura Dern
Rating: R
Release Date: 11 December 2009
Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

The Movie Review

Tenderness film still 1


TENDERNESS
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Don't judge the book by its cover! That's an ancient useful adage to deal with everything new and fresh. But it's also a perfect line in watching a psychological thriller movie, a subgenre that often plays with your mind, tricking you into something different before giving you the punch line right on your shocked face. But to kid around a little, knowing that this movie is starring Russell Crowe and that it's titled tenderness just feel hilarious! You know, Russell Crowe, with his notable movies such as Romper Stomper (1992), Gladiator (2000), Proof of Life (2000), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), American Gangster (2007) or the recent Robin Hood (2010), it's a bit silly to see him in a title like Tenderness :-) but I guess some of you who are familiar with the original writer of the novel which Tenderness is based upon, then you this show would be anything but silly...

Tenderness is a depressing and serious thriller. And that's why it's not for everybody.

"You better believe that I'm tender"

Russell Crowe stars as a retired detective, Lt. Cristofuoro, whose wife is in a comma. Det. Cristofuoro's had put to jail a juvenile serial killer who had killed his own parents. But now due to several reasons, Eric (Jon Foster), is set free to live normally with his aunt. This 18-year old boy, despite having a very sick past, turns out to have his own stalker, an even younger girl named Lori (Sophie Traub). A 16-year old blonde coming from a broken family and often being the lust target of her Mom's perverted boyfriend. Lori is a big fan of Eric and she eventually hooks up with him and even follows him wherever he goes, despite Eric's own confusion of her unusual behavior.

"He seems to be more interested in fish"

Det. Cristofuoro, having nothing else to do, is convinced that Eric is a psychopath and that he will kill again in some time to come. And so he tails Eric. But what is really going to happen to Eric and his new awkward relationship with Lori?

Seeing this movie, it seems that the idiom "Love Sick" has transformed into what once only means figuratively into literally. Who is sicker? A mentally sick person or a love sick one?

This thriller film is originally based on a novel titled "Tenderness" written by Robert Cormier. And I don't know about the book, but despite having good quality, the movie doesn't have many explanations for everything being portrayed. When the movie finally ends, there will be many question marks popping out of your head. Why? What happened? And What does that imply? Basically, this movie is a good choice for those of you who are interested in human minds or if you are a psychologist yourself.

The movie is not about violence, but it's about a sickness in human psychology. The performance of Russell Crowe is just ok, but the movie strength relies heavily on Sophie Traub, and she's done it well. If you are interested in anything subtle and slow moving especially concerning the human mind, then rent this movie. For others, I don't think it will amuse you guys, even though I believe if I were still on the age of 16-18 yo, I would be interested in how weird that girl's way of thinking is, even though she has good reasons for it.

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