This movie is a weepy and whiny affair about a popular country singer (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) who tries to overcome her alcoholic demons. I thought it would be a good chick flick so I rented it, but the script’s considerably weak and cliched, though I wasn’t asking for all that much. The dialogue’s not that great either.
Gwyneth’s character Kelly Cantor is indeed a crying mess; she’s lost a baby, she’s drinking despite rehab, she’s having affairs, notably with a rising country star, played by Garrett Hedlund. Her husband, played by Tim McGraw, has hurried her out of rehab and put her on a short tour to reestablish her reputation, but she’s far from ready! She can’t get through these shows! She’s too messed up and has to cancel the first two, but then she gives it her all at the last concert, only to end it all in dramatic fashion after.
Despite its flaws, “Country Strong” has some good music, and Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund seem believable as opening acts. It’s a bit hard to see Gwyneth as anything other than Gwyneth. I plan to check out the soundtrack for the hell of it and see if it’s not too sugary.
“Country Strong” comes on the heels of “Crazy Heart,” which was also about an alcoholic singer/songwriter, but that script and movie were a bit “stronger.”
