Country Strong: Tragic Accident or Terrorism?
Manolo says, it is like watching the runaway freight train, painted in the colors of the American flag, crash into the busload of orphans and nuns and puppy dogs.
In defense of Gwyneth, it is not entirely her fault she cannot credibly portray the country and the western singer. She is the New York, Spence School, Gossip Girl, child of urban privilege, whose every experience is foreign to what she seeks to portray in Country Strong.
“But, Manolo,” you may perhaps be saying, “what about Reese Witherspoon? Did she not win the Oscar for portraying the June Carter Cash?”
To which the Manolo must answer, yes, but then Laura Jeanne Witherspoon is from Nashville, the authentic daughter of Music City. And, she had the template, June Carter Cash, herself, upon which she could base her performance.
GOOP has no such advantages. She must attempt to construct her own credible country star out of the pastiche of Martina McBride and Faith Hill and whoever else is currently at the top of the country charts, without reference to her own experiences and, from what the Manolo can tell, the rather thin singing voice, and possibly thinner acting ability ( Please do not speak of Shakespeare in Love. It is the fluke.)
We must withhold our final judgment until the viewing of the movie, but from the video above, the Manolo believe it is the tragic accident in the offing, one certain to have been caused by the greed and inattention of the producers, director, and casting director.
UPDATE: One of the Manolo’s internet friends just pointed out this…
And now the Manolo is leaning towards the act of terrorism.
How else to account for that accent, and the weapons grade schmaltz of the cancer-stricken child scene, but that it is all the clever al-Qaeda plot?
I went to the website to see what all the fuss was, and was just about to say that I didn’t see why she is so reviled…when I saw that she recommended the Jimmy Choo Ugg.
She must be put down
Reese was also an English major, no matter how briefly. Just saying.
That is interesting. I never saw her as a singer.
She is not the most horrible singer in the world, but the awkward gyrating and the dress – oh, god, the dress! – are just not flattering at all.
The Shakespeare in Love is not just a fluke; it was a travesty. *is still bitter*
La Paltrow’s acting can be pretty paltry. Hence, I would watch a movie that she’s in, but I won’t watch it because she’s in it.
Makes sense?
Ayy, Manolo, you are pulling out all the stops this week, and I appreciate it very much!
The Manolo es en fuego!
Accent? She does an accent?? Oh, please let it be better than her awful British accent in Emma…
Sadly, it is worse than her Emma accent. It the sort of parody of the southern accent most commonly heard in amateur theater productions of “Cat on the Hot Tin Roof.”
I think you missed your calling. You really should be a movie critic. Maybe you can combine shoes and movies by doing movie reviews that critique the choices in footwear.
Many kisses to the Nancy for her kinds words.
Well it may make the Manolo feel better about Hollywood this holiday season to see Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”. Ms Portman is very convincing as a neurotic perfectionist ballerina.
The Manolo may enjoy “I am Love” with Tilda Swinton. Ms Swinton spoke Italian through the entire movie. I was impressed. I wonder if she had a believable accent? Visually the movie and clothes were stunning. Overall it was very operatic. This movie is now available on dvd.
Both movies maybe provide a palate cleanser for the Manolo after his most recent movie tortures.
Yes the Manolo would make a wonderful movie critic! Merry Christmas.
The Manolo has surely earned the gratitude of the Department of Homeland Security, for uncovering this threat to our nation. “See something, say something,” indeed!
Sweet Jesus that accent! It is too weep – the only thing I like about Gwennie is watching her get older, more irrelevant and more desperate.
How did the Manolo feel about Ms. Paltrow’s appearance as the substitute teacher on Glee?
The Manolo did not see the Paltrow Glee performance, as he no longer watches Glee, nor much television at all. Indeed, the Manolo no longer even has the cable.
It is because the Manolo loves the television so much that if he gave into his impulse to watch everything, he would never have time for strolling, or reading, or chatting, to say nothing of posting the occasional divertissement for his internet friends.
Was it really too much to ask for Cancer Boy to lean over and puke on her cowboy boots?
Also: Diamond choker. Who wears a diamond choker with a plaid cowboy shirt and jeans to serenade Cancer Boy?
She must be put down.