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One of my all time favorites.

It is a performances centric movie

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Eric Poole (Jon Foster), a young man who killed his parents when he was a teen is released from prison when he turns 18 (and after court evidence that proves that hard anti-depressives were the main cause for his acts). Out of there, and with good plans to rebuilt his life and go to college, he travels to meet a girl (Alexis Dziena) he knew while he was in custody. On his track there's the detective (Russell Crowe) who caught him and doesn't trust that this kid will not kill again. The third character in the story is a teenage girl (Sophie Traub) obsessed by this killer and she joins him on this trip where things can go really bad when his instincts seems to rise again. The somewhat promising "Tenderness" is a huge disappointment not in the way it presents its story - a quite good slow pace, tense, very mysterious and filled with some unpredictable things - but in the way it puts the elements altogether forcing situations, several things in which we can't trust or believe (and that's very strange considering the realistic approach given by the film). Sorry, but I'm gonna have to give some details and point out what bothered me here: What kind of juvenile facility would allow that sudden entrance of a girl into a men's dorm? Later we find out who she is and how she connects with the other characters. Horrible entrance for a character and an even worst departure when Eric's stalker reveals the other girl's real purposes (a ridiculous and unbelievable scene where the stalker sees Eric and the girl from a distance impossible to see anything way up high on a moving roller-coaster). There's more implausible moments and annoying parts, and countless things to be explained. I mean, all the girl wanted was to be Eric's girlfriend or she wanted to be one of his victims? I couldn't get this scenario and didn't like the ending. Prejudicial to the film was having Russell Crowe acting and behaving like a walking zombie appearing in a heavy clichéd role as the detective who not only wants to track down the young killer but also has to deal with a sick wife in the hospital. The young cast saves the film, specially Foster, who has the quiet attitude to play this tormented character.Merely pretentious and trying to show some intelligence where there isn't, "Tenderness" is not a good film and it doesn't deserve half the attention it might get. 4/10

I love Russell Crowe. The guy who plays Eric is pretty cute and a good actor. So, one star for each of them: but, even Oscar-winner Russell Crowe couldn't save this one.The supposed chemistry between Lori & Eric just didn't work for me. The sub-plot with the Detective and his wife wasn't fleshed out enough to make me care.On the plus side, The cinematography was gorgeous and the cast definitely can act. However, the pace is PAINFULLY slow for a thriller. And (no spoilers) the ending was a bit anti-climatic.I just kept wishing it would end which, gladly, it finally did.

Convicted as a juvenile, handsome young Jon Foster (as Eric Komenko) gets out of jail free, despite being a psychopathic killer. Lonely and abused teenager Sophie Traub (as Lorelei "Lori" Cranston) has become infatuated with Mr. Foster, and has been keeping a scrapbook on him. She decides to join Foster on a trip to look at colleges in upstate New York, by stowing away in the back seat of his car. Foster, who is also looking to keep a sex date with another female admirer, wants to get rid of Ms. Traub. But, as they travel, Foster becomes attached to Traub. Then, he learns she witnessed a crime... Meanwhile, police lieutenant Russell Crowe (as John Cristofuoro) follows the young couple. After helping put Foster in the pokey, Mr. Crowe developed a strange bond with the young killer. Crowe thinks Foster will kill again... "Tenderness" starts out by having you think it's going somewhere else. It also toys around with eroticism. But, the film is really more like a character study. Foster is a psychopathic killer who Crowe feels is apt to kill again, with vulnerable underage Traub the likely victim. Walking off with the best-written role, Traub actually provides Foster with some measure of salvation. The film is subtly acted and directed, looks great for the price, but stops short of excellence. The character played by Crowe is not drawn well into events; he and his invalid wife are far too detached from the main characters.****** Tenderness (1/15/09) John Polson ~ Jon Foster, Sophie Traub, Russell Crowe, Laura Dern

To his credit Russell Crowe has made a living portraying many different characters. Regardless, it's interesting to watch this Thespian ply his trade. This movie is called " Tenderness " written by Robert Cormier and directed by John Polson. It tells the story of Eric Poole (Jon Foster) a deranged killer who murdered his family and was sent to prison. Time has passed and on his 18th birthday, Poole has been set free. Suspecting, Poole is still a danger to society, police Lt. Cristofuoro (Russell Crowe), now retired decides to follow him to his next victim. Among the several groupies who wrote to the killer, is Lori (Sophie Traub) an unsuspecting girl who is fascinated with the killer. Maria (Alexis Dziena) is another potential victim. The movie is marked with tension, dark drama and skilled excitement, enough to make it worthwhile entertainment. Crowe is in good character as a grieving policeman who's wife lays in near catatonic coma, while he trails his quarry. ***