MOVIE
Directed by Shana Feste. Starring Garrett Hedlund, Gwyneth Paltrow and Leighton Meester.
In Country Strong, Gwyneth Paltrow delivers a stellar performance as Kelly Canter, a country star who has just been released from a year-long stint in rehab for alcoholism. Against the advice of her sponsor and singer/songwriter Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), Canter's manager/husband James (Tim McGraw) books her on a comeback tour, bringing along Hutton and aspiring singer Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). As Canter proves incapable of battling her inner demons, or salvaging her broken marriage and ailing career, Hutton and Stanton are thrust into the limelight and given a chance at fame. Thanks to various storylines that include romantic entanglements, marital problems and career opportunities, this heart wrenching drama perfectly captures the complexity of the entertainment industry as well as the throes of mental illness. While the storyline may seem familiar (think Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart), director Shana Feste manages to make it authentic, thanks to impeccable casting and gripping musical performances, delivering a touching story about the devastating ramifications of fame.
