Another example of the genre, with its stars flickering between meowing melodies. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Aug 9, 2022

Unfortunately, Feste's unsteady directorial hand loses control of the film.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020

Country Strong is like a dramatic washing machine - the laundry load hasn't had sufficient pre-soak and whites are mixed with colors, resulting in a bleeding into monotone bland.

Full Review | Nov 16, 2019

Somewhere deep inside this Gwyneth Paltrow vehicle there is a quality movie with some challenging subject matter. But that promise was glossed over by a film that tries too hard to be nice and not offend its target audience.

Full Review | May 8, 2019

The story is too clunky and overstuffed, and its flaws are even more glaring when spotlighted against stellar country music dramas.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 15, 2018

A rawer, realer, and far more believable and compelling portrait of a self-destructive country artist's attempt at recovery than Crazy Heart.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 15, 2013

A little like modern country music - odd moments of sincerity, heart and authenticity peek through the plastic, the hype and the manufactured hokum.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jan 23, 2013

This canned corn falls far short of the inspiring story of triumph and tragedy it wants viewers to buy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 9, 2011

Though the plot is almost formulaic, "Country Strong" has two things going for it: talented actors and great music

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 16, 2011

Not exactly brimming with the essence of country music

Full Review | Aug 12, 2011

Some may cynically scoff at Country Strong's rollercoaster of feelings, yet it's almost completely appropriate considering the high drama present in the lyrics of country music.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 14, 2011

...Country Strong's downfall stems from its almost egregiously deliberate pace...

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 15, 2011

It's got enough melodrama and full-volume diva-meltdown histrionics to blow a movie like Burlesque out of the water.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Apr 4, 2011

If McGraw had been armed with a microphone, perhaps the movie could have gained something in symmetry; if Kelly had a grounding in social history, perhaps she could better be believed.

Full Review | Mar 29, 2011

The movie has its moments, but the characters are fuzzy around the edges...

Full Review | Mar 28, 2011

Paltrow is a poster girl for the virtues of yoga and a macrobiotic diet - which makes her far too healthy-looking to play the troubled, booze-sodden singer at the heart of [this] sudsy romantic melodrama.

Full Review | Mar 25, 2011

No saving grace here.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 25, 2011

Some killer tunes plus a genuinely believable turn from Glee star Paltrow make Country Strong a show worth catching.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 25, 2011

The good news is that Paltrow can sing; the bad news is the mawkish and one-paced drama she's playing in.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 25, 2011

The backstage shenanigans and tear-stained soap opera are all too predictable in Country Strong but the performances lend it conviction and the soundtrack has enough heart and soul to endear it to true country music fans.

Full Review | Mar 25, 2011