Country Strong Review

Messages: Despite the movie's positive message about performing for the love of music and not for fame and money, there's some darker stuff here, too. Kelly's descent into depression and her relapse reinforce the idea that you have to choose between success (fame) and true love, because money corrupts everything, including marriage. The consequences of substance abuse are made clear.

Role models: Many of the characters -- including main character Kelly -- act self-destructively or selfishly, but Beau is a positive role model. He's a singer-songwriter who believes in the power of music and has no interest in becoming famous as long as he can still play for people. He sees beyond Chiles' beauty queen persona to fall in love with the deeper woman she is beneath the facade, and he is the only one who has Kelly's health foremost in his mind.

Violence: Several references to the alcohol-fueled accident that leads to the death of Kelly's unborn baby. Someone sends Kelly a bloodied baby doll with the words "Baby Killer" painted on it. James punches Beau in the face. Beau has to push away a couple of angry patrons in a bar. Beau punches a guy who's taking advantage of Kelly. A character dies unexpectedly.

Sex: Kelly and Beau are involved in an adulterous relationship. They kiss passionately and in one scene are shown on a bed, having just taken a shower (presumably together) and about to make love, but one of them stops it mid-kiss. Kelly and James kiss and embrace. Beau and Chiles flirt, undress down to their underwear, and eventually spend the night together -- bare backs and shoulders are shown, and it's clear they've made love, since the next scene is of them in bed together, with a sheet draped across them. Kelly is shown in a compromising position with a man who can help her professionally.

Language: Swearing increases in frequency throughout the movie and includes "s--t," "a--hole," "bulls--t," "hell," "bitch," "damn," "oh my God," and "goddamn."

Consumerism: A Ford truck.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Kelly is an alcoholic, and she relapses in several scenes that show her drinking -- alone, straight from a vodka bottle -- or at a bar acting very drunk. Beau smokes cigarettes, as do members of his band and members of the audience -- especially at bar gigs, where almost everyone is drinking. Prescription pills are abused.