Review - Country Strong

Not Quite Headliner Quality

Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a country icon. She has sold out shows across the country and continues to be one of the most sought after tickets in country music. Currently, Kelly is spending time in a rehab center after a very public meltdown that cost her more than just some time off of her career.

While in rehab she meets a country singer of his own right. Beau (Garrett Hedlund) works at the rehab center during the day and plays the club scene at night. His relationship with Kelly seems to have grown during her time in the center, but when Kelly’s husband James (Tim McGraw) pulls her out of rehab early things change.

Kelly pleads with James to let Beau open for her on her “comeback” tour. Despite the fact that James is clued in to find the next “hot” young female talent, in this case Chlies Stanton (Leighton Meester); he finds a reason for Beau to join them and a purpose for him on the tour.

A tour that was supposed to showcase Kelly’s return to the limelight instead ends up with a bright light shining on every shortcoming in her life. From a marriage that lost most of the love that existed, to a misguided relationship, to a loss of confidence, Kelly sure isn’t ready for this return to the road, even if the road is ready for the return of Kelly.

Will Kelly be able to repair her career, her emotions, her relationship and her life? Or will this be another lyric to a future country sad song?

The music of this film is solid and enjoyable. Paltrow, Hedlund and Meester can sing. But unfortunately their accomplished acting talents don’t get put to the test in this film. Instead a film that seems to have large emotional weight built into the story that is laid before us, just scratches the surface of what could have been. Even the details that make up the basis for the tour seem haphazard and slipshod in the way they are glossed over.

While the back-story for Kelly holds so much promise, it never rises to the fore. We don’t even get a glimpse of Kelly’s meltdown. And with that, it is hard to view Kelly as the monster that took part in a heinous act that haunts everyone. Instead, because Paltrow is so likable, you just don’t feel the past.

The film just feels watered down, to the point where the emotion got lifted from the picture. Sure, I got emotionally attached to some things within the film, but they were limited at best.

I wanted more from Country Strong, there was some great musical performance that will make for a fun soundtrack. Instead of being a movie that headlines a weekend, this is simply another opening act.

C+

Country Strong
Screen Gems

Director: Shana Feste
Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester

Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements involving alcohol abuse and some sexual content.
Runtime: 112 minutes.