Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

sttrhm This film is a fairly realistic portrayal of the life country stars face--whether you're the aging star trying to come back after crumbling under pressure, a rising star full of innocence and idealism with only a naive dream telling you what you're about to experience, a cynical streetwise veteran who has seen it all and who abhors the spotlight while still benefiting from it, or auxiliaries known as management who whore after the money and don't really have a clue about music or what their stars are going through. What I really don't like about this film is the way they make Beau out to be some kind of hero. He's a heartthrob for sure, with his white tooth smile and low timbre voice, but he's really a jerk. First of all, good AA sponsors NEVER get romantically involved with those they're sponsoring. That's an absolute capital offense in that circle, and this movie illustrates why. The recoverer is not strong enough to handle the vagaries of a new relationship and becomes weaker still if the sponsor later breaks it off. Second, he's getting involved with a married woman, and her husband seems to sense that he's more than just a sponsor right from the start. Finally, he takes up with her biggest fear--the up-and-comer that she sees replacing her. No wonder she saw her end and the need to exit. And if that wasn't bad enough, she had a so-called husband who hasn't quite forgiven her not only for their lost baby, and now suspects her affair (which is verified in the movie) but mostly for the botched Dallas concert which probably cost them oodles of $$$ that deep down he lusted after and now is trying to recover before she is really ready yet. Oh I know, he wants to get her back out before she's forgotten completely, but he withholds love, affection, and attention--denying her unconditional love and support she desperately needs right now. So she turns to Beau--who unfortunately seems to think that part of meaningful support takes place between the sheets. It's debatable if he withdraws because he truly thinks he shouldn't be doing this or if he's getting the hots for the New Young Girl. Either way he's screwed up and she paid the price, which he doesn't seem to realize his culpability for.

SnoopyStyle Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a country music star with addiction problems. Her domineering husband manager James Canter (Tim McGraw) pulls her out of treatment early. They don't connect as a couple anymore. Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund) works at the rehab center. He befriends Kelly Canter as her sponsor and singing partner. Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester) is a pretty young thing desperate to be a star.I just can't buy Gwyneth Paltrow as a country music star. To me, that's not her persona she's built over the years. She's a hardcore NYer and the southern accent just sound false. That taints the movie for me. The whole role just felt wrong to me and her singing isn't good enough. Tim McGraw needs more acting power. He probably needs more menace or something. Garrett Hedlund is unknown to me but he does a good job. And the story is a functional melodrama about these four damaged souls. It's just watchable enough to barely recommend.

maria joao If you love country music, this might very well be the movie you've been waiting for. Actually, this is a good movie even if you don't like country music.The storyline is really interesting and it is one of those cliché movies where you already know how it's going to end when you've barely started watching. There's just enough singing, just enough romance. It's not an empty movie. There is a lot of character and plot development and it is not hard to get attached easily to the characters. The cast does a terrific job as they're all very believable and talented. I don't really see anything negative about this movie, other than the fact that the ending may come off a little forced but it is not enough to ruin the movie. If you think about it for a while, it even ends up making sense. This is a movie I would definitely recommend.

michaelgrantham Since I'm fond of good country music I thought I'd give this a try, despite not being very keen on Gwyneth Paltrow. However, in this movie she gives a storming performance as a famous country singer, gradually falling apart with depression and alcohol - and she has a great voice! Yes that really is Gwyneth singing in the film.The good news doesn't end there because the supporting cast are just as good, Garret Hedlund and Leighton Meester were fantastic and so good as country singers that I immediately looked for their albums, but apart from the Country Strong Soundtrack, there aren't any! These are just great actors with great voices. Add in a strong performance from Tim McGraw (Oh why cant you just love your woman? - that's all she needs!!).With fine, layered performances from all and a storming soundtrack, this is definitely unmissable for any country music lover. I'm still humming the tunes days later.By the way, be careful if buying the soundtrack album. There are two! The first has other artists covering many of the film's songs and though it's a good album, isn't strictly from the soundtrack in every case. The second album, with the same name, seems to have original performances from the film, but was out of stock and I have it on back order. I think this is the more popular one.Anyway, if, like me, you don't watch films that score less than about 6 on IMDb, make this one an exception. You wont regret it!