Movie Review "Country Strong" Fails To Impart A Compelling Story

A film meant to be a dramatic masterpiece based in the Nashville Country Music scene turns out to be a facade of the real stories depicted in downtown Nashville every day.  The dull same ole, same ole run of the mill story of an artist battling drug & alcohol addiction post-rehab too soon, doesn't give the same dark twisted introspection as "Walk the Line" & "Crazy Heart".  The primary roles that Gwyneth Patlrow (Kelly Canter) & Tim McGraw (James Canter) play are intertwined in the lives of upcoming stars, Garrett (Heldlund) & Chiles (Meester) , which do not add to the story's intensity but rather distract the viewer from one bad dialogue to another. 

At the core of the movie, you can see what writer/director Shana Feste meant to do with the plot but instead tried to fulfill the Country Music stereotypes rather than satisfy the curious Nashville outsider to see what Nashville's Country Music Scene is on a daily basis.  Nashville is a city full of musical heritage & rich with diversity but instead Feste chose to limit Nashville's true history & point out an unconvincing mockery of the music industry without a trace of human dignity.  The main antagonist in the film are the actor's multiple affairs instead of a central character the audience can sympathize or hate.  If you do not require a movie to give you a strong plot with great dialogues then this movie is for you.  Ultimately "Country Strong" includes major Nashville icons including The Fontanel (Mandrell's previous home), Broadway Avenue venues such as The Stage, & the parking lot of LP Field, home to the Titans.

For more on the film with the trailer, photos & more visit www.goncc.com