Tenderness (2009)

Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Gladiator, 2000) and Academy Award® nominee Laura Dern (Best Actress in a Leading Role, Rambling Rose, 1991) star in Tenderness, a story about a strong but quiet detective determined to uncover the truth about a young man's past. Based on the Robert Cormier novel of the same name, Tenderness is an exciting crime thriller that will have audiences captivated. The DVD features a behind-the-scenes featurette, "Finding Tenderness: Bringing the novel to the screen," and is now available for the suggested retail price of $28.98.

Synopsis

Eric Komenko is a charming, attractive high school student with devout, domineering parents. Following an angry outburst from his mother upon her discovery of his promiscuity, Eric maliciously and violently murders both his mother and father.

Years later, Lori Cranston, an attractive and audacious young girl who has silently suffered years of sexual abuse from her mother's revolving door of boyfriends, becomes mesmerized by Eric's story. Undeterred by Eric's murderous impulses, Lori flees her mother's house to find him.

However, while Lori is attracted to Eric's sinister mentality, Lt. Cristofuoro, the officer assigned to Eric's case, is not convinced he won't kill again. Cristofuoro goes after him, conflicted about his desire to help Eric - whom he knows has suffered tremendously - and, his knowledge of the latter's appetite for killing young women.

While driving towards Syracuse to find a girl whom he met in juvenile detention, Eric is shocked to find Lori hiding in his trunk. Suspicious of Lori, annoyed by her juvenile crush and paranoid that she saw him murder his girlfriend years prior, Eric is outwardly harsh and cruel towards her. Throughout their long voyage together, Lori becomes increasingly enamored by Eric, despite his cruel behavior and a failed attempt to kill her.

As Cristofuoro draws closer to the pair, Lori resigns to her fate. Yet, despite Eric's calculated plan to kill her, and her complete acquiescence, Eric is unable to do so. Although upset with himself for succumbing to “soft” emotions, he leaves to meet the girl from juvenile detention, unaware that she is working with the police to set him up.

Lori learns about the trap and, after alerting Eric, she leaves with him, despite Cristofuoro's concern she will not come out alive.