This film is a fairly realistic portrayal of the life country stars face--whether you're the aging star trying to come back after crumbling under pressure, a rising star full of innocence and idealism with only a naive dream telling you what you're about to experience, a cynical streetwise veteran who has seen it all and who abhors the spotlight while still benefiting from it, or auxiliaries known as management who whore after the money and don't really have a clue about music or what their stars are going through. What I really don't like about this film is the way they make Beau out to be some kind of hero. He's a heartthrob for sure, with his white tooth smile and low timbre voice, but he's really a jerk. First of all, good AA sponsors NEVER get romantically involved with those they're sponsoring. That's an absolute capital offense in that circle, and this movie illustrates why. The recoverer is not strong enough to handle the vagaries of a new relationship and becomes weaker still if the sponsor later breaks it off. Second, he's getting involved with a married woman, and her husband seems to sense that he's more than just a sponsor right from the start. Finally, he takes up with her biggest fear--the up-and-comer that she sees replacing her. No wonder she saw her end and the need to exit. And if that wasn't bad enough, she had a so-called husband who hasn't quite forgiven her not only for their lost baby, and now suspects her affair (which is verified in the movie) but mostly for the botched Dallas concert which probably cost them oodles of $$$ that deep down he lusted after and now is trying to recover before she is really ready yet. Oh I know, he wants to get her back out before she's forgotten completely, but he withholds love, affection, and attention--denying her unconditional love and support she desperately needs right now. So she turns to Beau--who unfortunately seems to think that part of meaningful support takes place between the sheets. It's debatable if he withdraws because he truly thinks he shouldn't be doing this or if he's getting the hots for the New Young Girl. Either way he's screwed up and she paid the price, which he doesn't seem to realize his culpability for.
Review of Country Strong
