-- Synopsis; more about Country Strong --

The movie, a romantic drama, stars Paltrow as a popular yet troubled country singer named Kelly Canter. Canter is in a rehab facility (filmed at Barbara Mandrell’s former home, Fontanel) when she falls for Hedlund’s character, Beau Hutton, an employee at the facility with aspirations of country music stardom. Canter’s husband, James (played by McGraw), checks the still-fragile singer out of the facility to embark on a music tour. Meester’s character, country newcomer Chiles Stanton, is being mentored by James, who wants to book her as the opening act. Kelly, however, wants the spot to go to Hutton. In the end, all three go on tour together.

-- Trivia; tidbits about Country Strong --

Garrett Hedlund auditioned at a karaoke bar in Koreantown singing a Pearl Jam song. According to director Shana Feste, “It really wasn’t the best showcase ever of his voice, but Garrett went to school for us. Literally, he took four months off and started learning how to play the guitar, took voice lessons, went to Nashville early, started working with Nathan Chapman, a record producer in Nashville who produces Miranda Lambert. I mean, he became a country singer.”

Hedlund heeded Tim McGraw’s advice to “live and breathe country music” and to approach the role from the perspective of a singer trying to make it in the business, not an actor tackling a role, so he stayed on a cabin in McGraw’s ranch where he had guitar rehearsals.

Shipped to theaters under the code name “Keeping Pace”.

Tim McGraw, a highly successful country musician, does not sing or perform in the film. The rest of the main cast are the opposite.

-- Goofs; can you see the goofs for Country Strong --

Errors in geography: A billboard referencing Nashville exit 209A is very prominent in the background and they show the Nashville skyline while supposedly in Dallas. They also had real Nashville TV station logos on their microphones.

Factual errors: After the third show which was in Dallas, someone announced that “The Chronicle” was there. The Chronicle is the Austin entertainment guide; not Dallas.

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When reading her flash cards in the van, Chiles (Leighton Meester) claims that General MacArthur returned to the Philippines in 1946. World War II was well over by then. He actually returned in 1944 after the battle of Leyte. He then uttered the famous words “I have returned”.

-- Quotes; relive your favorites quotes for Country Strong --

Chiles Stanton: Oh, hi Beau.
Beau Hutton: It would have been easier to wish me luck.
Chiles Stanton: I’m on board. I’m playing three songs tonight.
Beau Hutton: Says who?
Chiles Stanton: I happen to be in consideration as the new opening act for Miss Kelly Canter. James, my new manager, booked me this gig as a rehearsal… not that I need it.
Beau Hutton: Clint, tell me Garth Brooks here is not opening for me.
Clint: She’s not, she’s closing for you. Can’t do nothing about it either.
Beau Hutton: This is your place, you can tell her no.
Clint: Not for James Canter, I can’t.
Beau Hutton: You’re gonna let this prom queen get up on stage? For Christ’s, sake, Patsy Cline sang here.
Clint: I don’t care, she’s still gonna play. I’m not cutting your set, Beau, you got the same three songs.
Chiles Stanton: Don’t worry, Beau. I have no intention of stealing your invisible career. See, I want one.

–

Reporter: Chiles, who is your idol?
Chiles Stanton: Kelly Canter and Jesus Christ.
Beau Hutton: [to Kelly] You and Jesus Christ, who would have thought?
Kelly Canter: They love her.

–

Chiles Stanton: How do I look?
Beau Hutton: Like a Country Barbie.
Chiles Stanton: [happy] Thank you!

–

Beau Hutton: What are you looking at?
[takes papers from Chiles' hands]
Beau Hutton: When did General MacArthur return to the Phillipines?
Chiles Stanton: 1946.
Beau Hutton: What does “amorous” means?
Chiles Stanton: Having a propensity for falling in love.
Beau Hutton: [laughing] What the hell are these things?
Chiles Stanton: Well… as a woman in this industry, people have a habit of thinking I’m some kind of ignoramous. And my pageant training doesn’t exactly help things, so I have to overcompensate. I don’t want people to think I’m some dumb beauty queen.
Beau Hutton: I never called you a dumb beauty queen. I’m serious, anybody that says “ignoramous” so casually… that’s not dumb at all.
Beau’s Bandmate: Ugh. Why don’t y’all sleep together and get this over with?

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