The Tavern

REVIEW
Two down-on-their-luck lifelong friends (one, a career bartender, the other, an assistant manager at a department store) attempt to fulfill their dream of owning a bar/restaurant, unaware of and unprepared for the brutal reality of keeping it running. Writer-director Foote (son of celebrated playwright Horton Foote) has a real knack for naturalistic dialogue, and draws expert performances from his cast. Dye and Geer are especially good, and extremely likable, which makes their hardships all the more painful. This is an utterly believable, completely involving film, aided by an appealing song score by The Saw Doctors; just don't expect to feel all warm and fuzzy once it's over.