Country Strong

Country Strong

I like country music. I think that Gwyneth Paltrow did an admirable job in her role as an alcoholic country singer trying to make a comeback. This is not a great film but it had enough to keep my interest. It is a first for Gwyneth Paltrow to sing in a film.

I did admire the effort.

The film was fictitious but it showed the pressures and difficulties in a musical star being at the top and performing to an adoring audience.

Kelly Canter (Paltrow) has left a rehab facility before she was really ready. We learn that she had miscarried her five month pregnancy when she fell off the stage while drunk.

Her husband, James, (Tim McGraw) loves her in his own way but is bitter about the loss of the child. He shields her and protects her while he pushes her to get back as a famous country singer.

The young handsome country singer, Beau, tries to help her. There is sexual chemistry with beau and Kelley. Is he trying to further his career by being close to her or is he truly infatuated with Kelly?

There is also competition from the beautiful young country singer who is attracting a lot of attention.

At one point James shows some interest in the young singer. I had to wonder at one point if everyone was going to end up with a different partner.

Kelly tries so hard to make the comeback but she just wasn’t ready.

The dramatic ending surprised me. We hear so much in the media of movie stars and musicians who fall ‘off the wagon.’ It is easy to understand. They are pressured by so many agents, managers and publicists. They are pushed and shoved and surely many must wonder who the real person really is. The film does show all of these problems.

It also points out how easy it is to be infatuated by another star. This is all believable.

The issues are well presented. All the performers do a good job.