On one hand, not very much happens in this film, certainly nothing exciting. On the other, I’ve never seen a more moving, subtle, believable depiction of human frailty and love and redemption and the heroism of the everyday. In other words: middle-of-American virtues at their best. Robert Duvall’s Academy Award for Best Actor and Horton Foote’s for Best Original screenplay were well-deserved. (Kurt Andersen)

Awards

Academy Award Winner: Best Actor (Robert Duvall); Academy Award Winner: Best Original Screenplay (Horton Foote); Academy Award Nominee: Best Picture; Academy Award Nominee: Best Director (Bruce Beresford); Academy Award Nominee: Best Original Music

Cannes Film Festival nominee (Golden Palm – DGA Award): Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: Bruce Beresford