Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • January 19, 2011 ‘Country Strong’ never hits believable dramatic heights by Dennis Seuling “Country Strong” is about many things: substance abuse, romance, jealousy, a career in decline, and a troubled marriage -- and that’s just a partial list. Country singer Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) is in a rehab facility undergoing alcohol detox. She has developed a bond with rehab employee and smalltime country singer Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund). Enter James Canter (Tim McGraw), Kelly’s husband/ manager who has come to take Kelly out of rehab early to set out on a tour across Texas. Kelly insists that Beau come along as an opening act and an emotional buttress, and James reluctantly agrees. Also along on the tour is young, up-and-coming singer Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). “Country Strong” isn’t a bad film, just a terribly predictable one with a showcase role for Paltrow that calls out for an Oscar nomination. Paltrow is good, but is trapped in a movie that rehashes one Hollywood cliché after another: the romantic triangle, struggle to face an audience, behindthe-scenes angst, a tender scene to illustrate the star’s humanity when sober, backstage meltdowns, tough love, brilliant comeback, and a set of characters recycled from a ‘60s Ross Hunter melodrama. All the principals in the movie sing, with the exception of Tim McGraw, who is an actual singer. Go figure. Paltrow has sung on the TV show “Glee” successfully, so the “wow” factor is never in evidence. We know she can sing, and sing well. She ambles through the movie with three expressions: dreamy, lovesick, or angry. There are few nuances or shadings to her performance. All of her scenes her played as if she has chosen a mood out of her makeup bag along with her mascara. Hedlund has charm and his Beau contrasts with McGraw’s tough road manager. It’s never explained why Kelly’s husband seems more concerned with box office than with his wife’s mental health, but then this is not Chekhov or Shaw. Why look too intensely for motivation? Beau is sympathetic and is torn between concern for Kelly and his status as an employee of the tour. He can do only so much, yet feels responsible when Kelly slips back into bad habits. Meester (TV’s “Gossip Girl”) is on hand for still another of the movie’s tangential threads. Her Chiles idolizes Kelly and hopes to have an equally successful career. So she does her own numbers, watches Kelly dutifully from the wings, and observes a star in action. But she also is witness to Kelly’s insecurities and dark side. The contrast is clear, if not obvious. Chiles sees that success is not all that it appears. The film contains elements of “All about Eve,” but fortunately writer/director Shana Feste avoids going too far down that road. “Country Strong” is the kind of movie that might be hailed as special if it were aired on cable TV. As a big- Kelly Canter (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a singer on the road to a comeback in ‘Country Strong.’ screen work, however, it never rises to believable dramatic heights. Rated PG-13 for its depiction of excessive drinking, sexual situations, and strong language, “Country Strong” is a mediocre movie that aspires to be a profound commentary on the life of a country singer struggling back from the brink. State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 1 $ 00 On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 2 11-17-10 Joan/Janine StateLine2x4(2Coup)11-17-10 2 col x 4 Register online @ www.westbergen.org • For more info, Contact Chrissie @ 201-444-3550 • clijoi@westbergen.org