Movie Monday - Timing is Everything

Country Strong


Written by: Shana Feste

Directed by: Shana Feste

Released: December 22, 2010 by Screen Gems

Rated: PG-13

Summary: A drama centered on a rising country-music songwriter who sparks with a fallen star. Together, they mount his ascent and her comeback, which leads to romantic complications involving her husband/manager and a beauty queen-turned-singer.

I really dislike country music. I think that it’s twangy and whiney and really, who wants to sing along to how a tractor is sexy? Unfortunately, I’ve spent almost my entire life in small-town Canada where country reigns and the local band that gets featured on CMT is front page news. But I’ve learned to somewhat live with it (I never listen to it unless forced), and I actually wanted to see this movie. Lucky for me, so did my mum, so we went together.

I was pleasantly supposed that I really enjoyed this movie, even the music. I’m not about to go out and buy the soundtrack, but the songs were beautiful and hearing Garrett Hedlund sing in a low smoky voice is enough to give a girl chills. Actually, everyone’s singing was great and I find it a little funny that the only actual country singer in the movie – Tim McGraw – didn’t even hum a note.

I was surprised that this movie was really centered on the addictions of Paltrow’s character. I guess that after seeing the trailer I assumed that it dealt more with overcoming her stint in rehab more than anything. And I wasn’t expecting some of the romantic relationships that there were, but it all made for a good movie.

The ending of the movie was foreshadowed in the scenes before but it didn’t take away from the emotion of the final scenes. I’m not saying whether it was a happy or sad ending but be prepared to cry if you’re an emotional person. I’m not a crier and even I was tearing up a little.

This was a great mother-daughter movie to see and I’m happy that I saw it. Still, I’m not sure that I would want to pay full price for it (I didn’t – it was cheap day), but it’s a great movie with a stellar cast and fantastic music. I give it a 7/10.