O Renascer da Estrela (2010)

A rising country-music songwriter works with a fallen star to work their way to fame, causing romantic complications along the way.

Director:

Shana Feste

Writer:

Shana Feste

Stars:

Garrett Hedlund, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leighton Meester

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Kelly Canter
Tim McGraw	...	James Canter
Garrett Hedlund	...	Beau Hutton
Leighton Meester	...	Chiles Stanton
Marshall Chapman	...	Winnie
Lari White	...	Hair Stylist
Jeremy Childs	...	JJ
James DeForest Parker	...	Joe (as JD Parker)
Lisa Stewart	...	Travis' Mom (as Lisa Stewart Seals)
Jackie Welch	...	Teacher
Cinda McCain	...	Misty
Gabe Sipos	...	Travis
Sandra Harris	...	Orderly
Megan Henderson	...	Megan Henderson
Dan Beene	...	Bob

Storyline

A drama centered on a rising country-music songwriter (Hedlund) who sparks with a fallen star (Paltrow). Together, they mount his ascent and her comeback, which leads to romantic complications involving her husband/manager (McGraw) and a beauty queen-turned-singer (Meester).

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Plot Keywords:

male wears underwear | man wrapped in a towel | woman hits a man | woman wears a bra and panties | woman removes her clothes | 

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Taglines:

It doesn't matter where you've been as long as you come back strong.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

M/12

Did You Know?

Trivia

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."

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Chiles Stanton: Don't make me say it.
Beau Hutton: Say what?
Chiles Stanton: You're being very rude right now.
Beau Hutton: Tell me what you want.
Chiles Stanton: Nothing.
[they kiss]

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.59 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Give In To Me
Written by Billy Falcon, Rose Falcon and Elisha Hoffman
Produced by Nathan Chapman
Performed by Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester
Leighton Meester appears courtesy of Time Act Music/Universal Republic Records

User Reviews

Great Film, Great Performances - Surprised at the low IMDb Rating?

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!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 2012 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

O Renascer da Estrela

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,452, 26 December 2010

Gross USA:

$20,218,921

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,529,194

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Maguire Entertainment, Material Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1