Country Strong

Country music is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the USA. After the era of megastars like Garth Brooks, Faith Hill or LeAnn Rimes, there were rarely very big country hits in recent years, now a whole new generation of country stars is storming the American charts with Taylor Swift or the current American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. The drama Country Strong comes at just the right time, offering an engaging look behind the scenes of the tough music business and can convince with good actors, a moving story and a really great soundtrack.

Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) was one of the most successful country singers, until it came to a dramatic incident at a big concert. Battered by the aftermath of that accident and by her alcohol addiction, Kelly has retreated to rehab from which she plans her big comeback. The seclusion and her very close friendship with young musician Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund) give Kelly new strength and courage. But when her husband and manager James (Tim McGraw) pulls her out of the hospital before the actual end of her therapy and sends her straight on a big tour, complications soon arise again - especially since Beau and talented up-and-coming singer Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester), who is clearly meant to be built up as Kelly's successor, also join her on tour.

That Country Strong deals intensely with country music, which is hardly popular in Germany, should not deter anyone from watching this drama. Because even though there is a lot of singing in the film, the story is clearly the focus. And it's engaging and emotional enough to work beyond the US. But first, a word about the music. Director Shana Feste, whose debut Time of Mourning with Pierce Brosnan and Carey Mulligan was only released on DVD in Germany, has done a good job with the song selection. Most of the titles are real earworms, with only a discreet country flair wafting around the productions.

The actors also do their thing as singers really well. While the superbly acted Tim McGraw, the only real country star among the main cast, only gets to perform one song during the end credits, Garrett Hedlund (TRON: Legacy) and Gossip Girl Leighton Meester pass their baptism of fire as performers very well. And Gwyneth Paltrow, who has already had the chance to show off her singing talents in the movie Duets and the series Glee, delivers a more than believable performance as a fallen country icon. Thus, the film gets the necessary credibility that allows the viewer to dive into the not always so bright and ideal world of the American music business and fully engage in the story.

This story itself repeatedly walks very close to the border of kitsch and pathos. But Feste always succeeds brilliantly in not crossing that line. Especially the in a certain sense surprising ending makes this film a moving love drama, which can convince despite small lengths and a certain predictability. So if you are looking for emotional cinema with good actors, beautiful songs and a touching story, you will get your money's worth with Country Strong. Worth seeing

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp