Country Strong Movie 2011

Movie Information

Directed by:Shana Feste

Produced by:Tobey Maguire,Jenno Topping

Written by:Shana Feste

Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow as Kelly Canter,Tim McGraw as James Canter,Leighton Meester as Chiles Stanton,Garrett Hedlund as Beau Hutton,Marshall Chapman as Winnie,Jim Lauderdale as Kelly's Bandmate.

Music by:Michael Brook

Cinematography:John Bailey

Editing by Connor O'Neill

Studio Maguire Pictures

Distributed by Screen Gems

Release date:8 November 2010 (2010-11-08) (Nashville premiere)
January 7, 2011 (2011-01-07) (United States)

Running time 112 minutes

Country United States

Language English

Budget $15 million

Box office $20,529,194

Plot: The movie begins with Beau (Hedlund), singing with Kelly (Paltrow), a recovering alcoholic going through rehab. Beau is clearly smitten by her, and it is later revealed that the two have been having an affair, even though Kelly is married to James (McGraw). Kelly is checked out of rehab a month early by James, who wants her to go on a three-city tour to restore her image. She agrees on the condition that Beau becomes her opening act, but James has already made plans to see Chiles Stanton (Meester), a beauty queen with potential to become a rising singer, perform that night in hopes that she will be Kelly's opener instead.

On the night of Chiles' performance, it is revealed that Beau has been acquainted with her before and doesn't want her on the tour, dismissing her as a 'Country Barbie'. Chiles' performance nearly falls apart as she gets stage fright and can't sing; however, Beau steps in and begins to sing "Friends in Low Places". The two sing the song together, and it gives Chiles the courage to continue on her own. James is impressed by Beau's performance, and offers the opening act to both Beau and Chiles. He suggests to Beau that he and Chiles could make quite the duo, but Beau disagrees. Nevertheless, Beau agrees to go on the tour because he cares so much about Kelly. The two perform and Kelly comes out, this time sober and ready, and performs her entire set for the first time. Kelly is seen performing "Country Strong," "Shake That Thing," and "Coming Home". After the concert, both James and JJ immediately begin making plans for Kelly's future. That night, however, Kelly commits suicide by overdosing on prescriptio medication. She leaves a letter to Beau, echoing his earlier words that "love and fame can't live in the same place." In the letter, she gives him the advice to choose 'love'. Beau takes her advice, and after Kelly's funeral, he moves to California.

Later on, Beau is seen singing in a bar in California, and he sees Chiles walk in, wearing the earrings he gave her. The movie ends with the two singing the song they wrote together, "Give in to Me.