The strongest thing in this country is the stench of corn. Aside from a catchy soundtrack and two appealing young’uns in supporting roles, the soapy-dopey drama “Country Strong” rings as false as Gwyneth Paltrow’s fluctuating Southern twang. But if it weren’t so slow-moving and condescending to country music culture, this honky-tonk talkfest might be a guilty pleasure. There is a draw to seeing Hollywood’s Park Avenue princess trying/failing to prove her everywoman street cred as a boozy floozy of a country superstar in decline. Paltrow can sing well, which she proved better in her recent guest-starring stint on “Glee.” But it has been more than a decade since the Oscar winner’s heyday as a posh ingenue. “Strong” casts doubt that she has retained the acting chops to carry a feature film in a meaty role.
Here she chokes the neck of an off-brand vodka bottle, knocks cowboy boots with a random concert promoter for favors, romps with a terminally ill moppet for audience sympathy, and deigns to let her mascara smudge. But there’s not a hayseed’s whisker of believability about it.
The contrived screenplay, directed and written by Shana Feste (“The Greatest”), borrows its tired motifs from classic showbiz sagas like “A Star is Born” and “All About Eve.”
| IF YOU GO |
| ‘Country Strong’ |
| » Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars |
| » Stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester |
| » Director: Shana Feste |
| » Rated PG-13: for thematic elements involving alcohol abuse and some sexual content |
| » Running time: 112 minutes |
It begins as Nashville mega-diva Kelly Canter (Paltrow) leaves rehab prematurely after a disorderly-drunk charge. Conveniently on staff at the facility is a sexy undiscovered singer-songwriter, Beau Hutton (“Tron: Legacy’s” adorable Garrett Hedlund). He serves as the lover, sobriety sponsor and — omg! — opening act who tries to counteract Kelly’s co-dependent manager-husband.
James (Tim McGraw) pushes her back onstage for a comeback too soon and, predictably, train wreck ensues. Her meltdown feels worse because the younger, cuter Chiles Stanton (“Gossip Girl’s” Leighton Meester) joins the tour and catches the fancies of both James and Beau.
Why is Kelly so messed up? Well, y’all, fame ain’t no picnic. That’s the big statement offered.
The song list covers country standards by Garth Brooks and Merle Haggard, but consists mostly of new tunes. Paltrow only sings a few bars here and there before a climactic six-minute medley at movie’s end. Hedlund and Meester pick up the slack, providing good voice and considerable eye candy to the proceedings, especially in the duet “Give in to Me.”
Curiously, the principal cast’s only professional musician, McGraw, doesn’t get to perform in a cockeyed “Country.”
