"Country Strong," a movie starring Gwyenth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, explores the collision of loves, lives and ambitions in the high stakes world of big time country music stardom.
Shaken by addiction and scandal, country music superstar Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) takes a romantic shine to Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), a talented young man with a guitar who works at the rehab facility where she's recuperating. Their relationship, however, takes a difficult turn when the handsome singer-songwriter,
satisfied with performing at small clubs and honky-tonks, suddenly finds himself thrust into Kelly's topsy-turvy world as she gears up for a return to her adoring fans. While Kelly thrives on rest (and Beau), her career-dedicated but romantically aloof husband/manager James (Tim McGraw) books a three-city comeback tour conceived as the key to his wife's personal and professional recovery. Tensions flare when the plan calls for the tour to introduce James' new protégée, an ambitious beauty-queen-turned-singer named Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). Now deeply dependent on Beau, Kelly makes sure that her favorite newcomer gets a spot on the bill as well. As the quartet embarks on its fateful tour, romantic entanglements, dormant demons and the demands of showbiz threaten to derail all the players in this tale of modern Nashville.
"Country Strong" features original songs performed by Paltrow, Hedlund and Meester that were written for their characters by some of country music's most notable composers and producers. Paltrow, who received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in "Shakespeare in Love," previously sang on film in "Duets," directed by Bruce Paltrow. Hedlund (who played McGraw's son in "Friday Night Lights") has appeared in "Tron: Legacy" and Meester ("Gossip Girl") is featured in Screen Gems' psychological thriller "The Roommate." Country music star McGraw, who appears in "Country Strong"'s lead non-singing role, co-starred with Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock in the hit "The Blind Side." Acclaimed country music singer-songwriter and memoirist Marshall Chapman, makes her acting debut in the supporting role of Winnie, Kelly's road manager—a witness powerless to stop the four-way collision.
Shana Feste directs "Country Strong," her second feature, from her original screenplay. Her first film, "The Greatest," starring Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon and Carey Mulligan, won high praise at the 2009 Sundance Festival.
Tobey Maguire and Jenno Topping, via Material Pictures, are the producers. Meredith Zamsky is the executive producer. The director of photography is John Bailey, ASC ("The Big Chill"), the production designer is David J. Bomba ("Walk The Line"), the editors are Carol Littleton, A.C.E. and Conor O'Neill ("Capitalism: A Love Story"), music is by Michael Brook, music supervisor is Randall Poster ("Love and Other Drugs"), and the costume designer is Stacey Battat ("Happy Tears").
Shaken by addiction and scandal, country music superstar Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) takes a romantic shine to Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund), a talented young man with a guitar who works at the rehab facility where she's recuperating. Their relationship, however, takes a difficult turn when the handsome singer-songwriter,
"Country Strong" scene with Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw
"Country Strong" features original songs performed by Paltrow, Hedlund and Meester that were written for their characters by some of country music's most notable composers and producers. Paltrow, who received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in "Shakespeare in Love," previously sang on film in "Duets," directed by Bruce Paltrow. Hedlund (who played McGraw's son in "Friday Night Lights") has appeared in "Tron: Legacy" and Meester ("Gossip Girl") is featured in Screen Gems' psychological thriller "The Roommate." Country music star McGraw, who appears in "Country Strong"'s lead non-singing role, co-starred with Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock in the hit "The Blind Side." Acclaimed country music singer-songwriter and memoirist Marshall Chapman, makes her acting debut in the supporting role of Winnie, Kelly's road manager—a witness powerless to stop the four-way collision.
Shana Feste directs "Country Strong," her second feature, from her original screenplay. Her first film, "The Greatest," starring Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon and Carey Mulligan, won high praise at the 2009 Sundance Festival.
Tobey Maguire and Jenno Topping, via Material Pictures, are the producers. Meredith Zamsky is the executive producer. The director of photography is John Bailey, ASC ("The Big Chill"), the production designer is David J. Bomba ("Walk The Line"), the editors are Carol Littleton, A.C.E. and Conor O'Neill ("Capitalism: A Love Story"), music is by Michael Brook, music supervisor is Randall Poster ("Love and Other Drugs"), and the costume designer is Stacey Battat ("Happy Tears").
Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester Country Strong Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester Country Strong Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund Country Strong Gwyneth Paltrow and Garrett Hedlund Country Strong Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw Country Strong Garrett Hedlund and Tim McGraw Country Strong Country Strong Pictures
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