It kinda meanders solidly for about ¾ of its run time, but honestly that final 30 or so minutes is outstanding.
'Honkytonk Man' isn't, at least to me, the most interesting or enjoyable for the first hour or so, with many satisfactory if meh scenes and even an odd one featuring a minor, but to my proper surprise the concluding moments of this 1982 release really do leave an imprint - I love the ending.
Clint Eastwood is solid, as seemingly always, for the majority before really coming up with some big acting chops, though credit also goes to the make-up department for making him look the way his character ought to - which really sells it. Kyle Eastwood can't really act beside him, but as a child actor he brings the necessary innocence etc.
It was barely a 7/10 rating from me until the conclusion, which elevates it up sizeably.