Country Strong: The Verdict

The short and simple version is I adored "Country Strong". On the surface, you may mistakenly assume it was inevitable - I'm a Tim McGraw fan and somewhere along the way Garrett Hedlund came into view. But this isn't about a cute boy in a cowboy hat.

True, I am a Tim McGraw fan - there's something about his music and country music in general - that just speaks to me. When he poked his toe into the acting waters, I was apprehensive and despite my unwavering support, I admit I've not seen all his movies and the ones I have, I can't say I've liked them all. But I admire his determination and passion to keep trying new things.

So last year when there were rumblings that Tim was doing a movie about country music, I already was excited. I didn't know anything about the plot, his fellow actors or his role but I knew I wanted to see it.

And so it debuted in America in January. Reviews were gushing but I waited for my best friend to see it. What would she think? Her review would be the most important.

She loved it. She laughed. She cried. She even knew I would have a new crush in Garrett. And the countdown began. 130 days until it would be released in cinemas in England.

Soon enough the DVD date was announced and as it was around the same time - and knowing how I can cry at mere commercials - I thought I would savour "Country Strong" in the privacy of my own home. As you know, thanks to my bestie and a recent trip to NYC, the blu-ray popped through my mailbox today.

There are a handful of movies that I truly adore. That I ache when I watch them from just how much they move or touch me or because they are just simply beautiful. It's more than good cinematography or good actors. It's almost magical. Country Strong joins the list that includes The Painted Veil, It's a Beautiful Life, Australia and Amelie.

I was mesmerised and I did cry. I loved how it showed Honky Tonk country and also that hard-edge brutality of the music industry. I loved how it showed love and friendship and pain and misery. I even loved the inevitable Hollywood cliché.

I've spoken about the boys of Country Strong but unequivocally this movie belongs to Gwyneth Paltrow. I thought she was a star and she blew me away.

I wanted to watch this movie because I was a fan of Tim McGraw and later stumbled on a rather hot Garrett Hedlund and ended up absorbed by a story that itself could be a country song.

I adored it. And if you love country music, I think you will too!