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Roger Ebert said that "Saturday Night Fever," was Gene Siskel's favorite movie. While not my all-time favorite, it is definitely in my top fifty. It is not a mindless disco film, it is an intense character study that accurately captures the era. If you have empathy for the plight of others, and enjoy powerful dramatic portrayals of flawed, real people coming of age in tough circumstances, then you will enjoy this movie. John Travolta richly deserved the Academy Award nomination he received for his portrayal of Tony Manero.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Robert Duvall got Academy Award recognition but Tess Harper deserved a nomination for her work as well. Duvall surprised me with his performance as a singer. My favorite scene: his daughter (Ellen Barkin) asks him to sing a song for her he used to sing when she was little. He says he can't remember it. As she drives off, he sings "On the wings of a song, white dove.." This one still gets me. Forget Butterfly Kisses. It is interesting to contrast Tender Mercies work with Duvall's work in the Apostle. Similar Theme, different sides of the coin. I liked the Apostle, but I loved Tender Mercies.

This romantic comedy is unusual in that it is the first movie appearance of Steve Borden, (better known as STING of WCW fame), and the role is not the action super hero that would be expected of such a popular wrestling pro.