Admirable film.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The first must-see film of the year.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I liked the opening.It showed a humble, scruffy young country singer playing a non-descript low-brow gig, then driving his old pick up truck, while changing into his uniform for his shift at a psychiatric hospital.Oh jeez...Gwyneth Paltrow as a famous country singer? Give me a break. In fact, Gwyneth Paltrow as anything other than the untalented daughter of a Hollywood writer? Give me a break. I didn't buy it for a second.Nothing against Tim McGraw, but one has to have more than a Southern accent to be an effective actor. What are his qualifications? He's awkward.The best thing about this movie is Garrett Hedlund. He has charisma like a big movie star might. The music sucked and the plot was non-existent. But this actor kept me watching for about half the film, before I gave up.Alcoholism is such a boring and clichéd plot device. The screw-up country star and the hungry up-and-coming, aspiring country singer theme is equally clichéd.Show me something different. How about a country singer who wants to sing opera or funk? Or a country singer who wants to be a reporter, but can't break free from who they are? I don't see how anyone could actually believe that this sanctimonious, paint-by-numbers trash would entertain anyone. Yet plenty of reviewers here liked it. Go figure.

This film is for anyone: a music lover, someone who loves a good cry at a movie, anyone! The story is great and gives an insight into a music stars life and when it goes wrong - it really does go wrong! Paltrow is excellent and portrays her character to the very best of her ability. Through out the whole film it catches the audience's attention and keeps it until the very last minute of the film. Hedlund's performance as Beau is delightful as he plays the stereotypical 'country boy' but changes through out the movie for the best.The songs in the film will make you keep wanting to rewind the DVD and play it over and over again. This film will not be forgotten in your DVD collection and will always put you in a song and dance mood! A MUST SEE!! 10/10

Since I'm fond of good country music I thought I'd give this a try, despite not being very keen on Gwyneth Paltrow. However, in this movie she gives a storming performance as a famous country singer, gradually falling apart with depression and alcohol - and she has a great voice! Yes that really is Gwyneth singing in the film.The good news doesn't end there because the supporting cast are just as good, Garret Hedlund and Leighton Meester were fantastic and so good as country singers that I immediately looked for their albums, but apart from the Country Strong Soundtrack, there aren't any! These are just great actors with great voices. Add in a strong performance from Tim McGraw (Oh why cant you just love your woman? - that's all she needs!!).With fine, layered performances from all and a storming soundtrack, this is definitely unmissable for any country music lover. I'm still humming the tunes days later.By the way, be careful if buying the soundtrack album. There are two! The first has other artists covering many of the film's songs and though it's a good album, isn't strictly from the soundtrack in every case. The second album, with the same name, seems to have original performances from the film, but was out of stock and I have it on back order. I think this is the more popular one.Anyway, if, like me, you don't watch films that score less than about 6 on IMDb, make this one an exception. You wont regret it!

The performances song-wise are really good. Especially if you like Country music, you will find quite a lot, that you will enjoy about this movie. Unfortunately the stories don't seem to be as strong as they could be. It is decent all around and it flows with a nice pace. But that is just it, there are no highlights to speak of.Having said that, the young talent at hand (the guy from Tron Legacy and Ms Meester) do their best. It's Gwyneth Paltrow though who steals the show. It's a cautionary tale in the end and it depends, if you are willing to listen to it and watch it. And to what degree you will get involved with the characters.