Writer-director Shana Feste is best known for the tearful melodrama The Greatest. However, her emotionally complex drama, Country Strong, is well-written and so tragically romantic, it ranks up there with The English Patient or The Way We Were. Nevertheless, it will undoubtedly fall victim to the dreaded chick flick label.
Gwyneth Paltrow may headline Country Strong, but new-comer Garrett Hedlund steals the show. Yet, it’s Tim McGraw’s portrayal as the stoic husband/manager trying to hold his wife and her career intact, while their marriage is in crisis, that is truly impressive.
And, you definitely do not need to be a country music fan to enjoy the original music performed by the film’s stars, Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester.
Film Summary of Country Strong
Shaken by addiction and personal tragedy, a multiple Grammy-winning country music superstar Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) takes a romantic interest in Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), a talented young man with a guitar who works at the rehab facility where she’s recuperating.
Their relationship, however, takes a difficult turn when the handsome singer-songwriter, satisfied with performing at small clubs and honky-tonks, suddenly finds himself thrust into Kelly’s topsy turvy world as she gears up for a return to her adoring fans.
While Kelly thrives on rest, her career-dedicated but romantically aloof husband/manager James (Tim McGraw) books a three-city comeback tour conceived as the key to his wife’s personal and professional recovery. Desperately still in love with her husband, Kelly battles with her insecurity in her ability to win back James’ affection.
Tensions flare when the plan calls for the tour to introduce James’ new protégée, an ambitious beauty-queen-turned-singer named Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). Now deeply dependent on Beau, Kelly makes sure that her favorite newcomer gets a spot on the bill as well.
As the quartet embarks on its fateful tour, romantic entanglements, dormant demons and the demands of showbiz threaten to derail all the players in this tale of modern Nashville.
The Cast and Crew of Country Strong
- Stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund, Tim McGraw and Leighton Meester.
- Written and directed by Shana Feste. Cinematography by John Bailey. Edited by Carol Littleton and Conor O’Neill.
- Original music by Michael Brook. Art directed by John R. Jensen. Costume design by Stacey Battat.
- Produced by Tobey Maguire and Jenno Topping. Executive produced by Meredith Zamsky. US distribution by Screen Gems / Sony Pictures.
Country Strong opens wide, in movie theaters, on January 7, 2011.
- Running Time: 112 min
- Rated: PG-13; for thematic elements involving alcohol abuse and some sexual content
[Source: Sony Pictures]
