Tomorrow

Robert Duvall. Can enough ever be said about his contribution to cinema? A character actor whose immense talent couldn't and wouldn't be contained in smaller roles, quickly rose to stardom following his debut as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. Today Mr. Duvall is 89 years old and still working, awaiting release of his 88th film. The film Tomorrow (1972) is largely and sadly unknown to many film lovers, even many of Duvall's fans, yet contains what I consider to be one his finest performances to date. It is such a moving and thoughtful tale to begin with, and Duvall's performance makes it that much better. Watch this film you will probably see (as I did), where Billy Bob Thornton really got his inspiration for the Sling Blade character he made famous more than 20 years later (has he ever admitted it?).

“Sarah” (Olga Bellin) is pregnant and alone when she encounters “Fentry” (Robert Duvall). He is a subsistence farmer with little but the clothes on his back, but he takes pity on this woman and invites her to stay. Gradually, there is a bond that begins to develop between the two and a fondness is soon evident as he takes greater care of her whilst asking nothing in return. He enjoys having her around and promises to marry her and help her bring up the child. Now childbirth was no easy thing and though he manages to keep to the first part of his bargain, a tragedy means his plans for the second part must be carried out differently than he’d anticipated - but he still finds an unexpected joy and fulfilment from this scenario until yet more tragedy comes his way. The building blocks of the story here all play well to a personable performance from a Duvall whom I’ve rarely seen so effective. There’s a minimum of dialogue, just some characterful acting that takes us on the most unlikely emotional journey set amidst the simplicity and isolation of their backwater Mississippi home. It’s that paucity of traditional cinematic tools that adds to the intimacy of their relationship and makes this drama all the more poignant. It’s a slow burn and the ending is maybe a little too rushed, but this is an enjoyably considered human story that’s worth a watch.