Country Strong (2010) Movie Script
1
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
BEAU: When I was a littIe boy,
my mom used to play
A Portrait of Merle Haggard
every night before bed.
Her favourite song
was Silver Wings,
so I figured I'd surprise her
and learn how to play it.
I played that song
day and night until my fingers bled.
(BEAU CHUCKLES)
Finally, when I sat her down
to play it,
she waited until I was finished
and then she said,
"Merle sings it better,
but keep trying."
(BEAU LAUGHS)
So I guess I am.
(BEAU SINGING SILVER WINGS)
Put it out, Beau.
Yes, ma'am.
Peterson went through
withdrawal all over
the dogwood deck.
It's got your name on it.
And Beau?
I don't want to see you
anywhere near Mrs Canter's room.
(BEAU PLAYING GUITAR)
(BOTH AD LIBBING COUNTRY LYRICS)
The what?
The what was wet?
Go with it.
What did you get wet?
The stage was wet.
Oh, the stage
was wet, right.
(STRUGGLING TO FIND LYRICS)
I'm looking.
That's when it what?
You keep messing me up here.
I'm sorry. (LAUGHING)
You know, here. You just. . .
You were what?
You sing it.
What were you going to say?
No, that was good.
Why are you
giving this to me?
Go on, please.
What?
I don't know.
Make it yours.
I like that song.
What do you say
when you start?
"l remember that day."
"l remember that day.
When. . ." When what?
"When we first met."
(AD LIBBING LYRICS WlTH EASE)
How do you do that so fast?
l didn't do anything.
You were there.
You had it already.
Give me that.
"Timing is everything."
Try that one.
I like that.
That one was good.
(SINGING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING)
(BOTH SINGING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
JAMES: Kell.
What's going on?
This is Beau.
Do you remember him?
He's one of my sponsors.
We were just
messing around.
Of course.
Hey, Beau.
How are you doing?
Hey, beautiful.
Hi.
Beau, would you mind
getting a couple bellhops
for Kelly's bags?
You got bellhops here,
don't you?
No, sir.
Well, then, do you mind?
Because the car's out front.
They're letting me out early.
Well, you still got
another month left.
They think I'm better.
Better than what?
l was going to tell you.
l was. . .
l was just thinking,
"How am I going to tell you?"
Beau !
Are you Kelly's doctor?
Because the last I checked,
Dr Stevens was
taking care of her.
No, he's just being protective.
Aren't you, Beau?
He's just being
a good sponsor.
Why don't you let me
be the protective one,
all right, hoss?
Now, if you wouldn't mind,
I'd like to get some help
with these bags
so we can get
Kelly out of here.
She doesn't travel light,
in case you hadn't noticed.
(SlGHS)
JAMES: The first two
venues are small.
We'll ease you back into it.
And the third?
We're going to go back
to Dallas, televised.
What?
Yeah, we're going to
prove them all wrong.
Look, Kell, you're
the toughest girl I know,
so if you tell me
you're not ready,
well, then,
l'll take that
at face value.
l want Beau
to open for me.
Who's Beau?
He's that kid you just met.
He's a singer.
He's a good one.
Well, why don't we
get the gardener
to open for you?
I'm sure he's good.
It's important to me.
Besides, l've already got
an opener for you.
Chiles Stanton.
The beauty queen
l was telling you about.
She's playing tonight
at The Stage,
and I'm going to go
check her out.
I'm sure you are.
You can check out Beau
while you're there.
All right. Well,
how about this?
Look, l'll. . .
Hold on. l'll go
check out Chiles tonight
and if it doesn't work out,
and if she doesn't
blow me away,
then we'll look at
other options.
Don't placate me.
l wouldn't dare.
Oh, yeah.
(SlGHS)
So, where did you
find the bird?
Under a tree down there.
(SlGHS)
l waited 20 minutes
for her mama to come back,
and when she didn't,
l swooped her up.
l've been taking care
of her ever since.
lt looks like
a baby quail.
l've been calling
her Loretta Lynn.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
What if I took her
for just a little while?
l'll take care of her.
You got a really
big tour that you need
to get ready for.
Okay.
Hey.
l got a good idea.
What?
Let's get out of here.
Let's go.
FEMALE NEWSCASTER:
Nashville's Kelly Canter
was released, once again,
from rehab this morning.
You'II remember,
the country music star
was arrested last year
for drunk and
disorderly conduct
while performing
at a show in Dallas.
She was five months
pregnant at the time.
Hi, guys. Hey. Hey,
how are you doing?
Be careful.
We can't wait to
get on the road again.
We can't wait for
the tour to start.
Kelly's feeling
better than ever.
She's looking
better than ever.
And it's going to be fun.
We can't wait
to get in front of
the fans again, okay?
Thanks, guys. Take care.
FEMALE REPORTER:
James, what about
the divorce rumours?
Hey, Beau.
What are you doing here?
l couldn't just
wait by the phone
for you to call, could l?
I'm here to hear you sing.
And to support Chiles,
of course.
Chiles? What does she
got to do with tonight?
You be nice, Beau.
Find me after the show.
All right.
(SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
Oh, hi, Beau.
You better be here
to wish me luck.
I'm on the board.
I'm playing
three songs tonight.
Says who?
Says James Canter,
that's who.
Bullshit.
Bull-true.
l happen to be
in consideration
as the new opening act
for Miss Kelly Canter.
James, my new manager,
booked me this gig
as a rehearsal.
Not that I need it.
l've been ready
for this moment since
l was four years old.
The last time I saw you sing,
you froze up like an ice cube.
That was seven
and a half months ago.
And it was just that one time.
I'm not playing
county fairs any more.
I'm much more seasoned.
You don't have any songs.
You can't even
play the guitar.
l've been writing songs.
l got a whole bunch
of them right over there.
LittIe Heartbreaker,
Summer Girl,
Rinky Dinky Town.
These aren't songs,
these are rides at Disneyland.
(RESUMES SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
Clint,
tell me Garth Brooks here
isn't opening up for me.
She's not. She's closing.
l can't do anything
about it, either.
It's your place.
You can tell her no.
Not to James Canter, I can't.
So you're going to
let this prom queen
get up on stage?
l mean, for Christ's sake,
Patsy Cline sang here.
I don't care if she sings
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
she's still going to play.
I'm not cutting
your set, Beau.
You've got
the same three songs.
Don't worry, Beau.
l have no intention
of stealing your
invisible career.
(SlGHS) You see,
l want one.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING HARD OUT HERE)
Hey, you did make it.
Good to see you.
How are you doing?
We got
a packed house tonight,
l got your favourite spot
on the rail right
straight through here,
and Chiles is up next.
Yeah, what do you
hear about her?
Well, I saw her
last Tuesday at Robert's.
And to tell you the truth,
I don't know
which was bigger,
the hair or the dress.
Hey, she could be
a diamond in
the rough, you know?
Well, I ain't got
much time for rough.
Yeah, I hear that.
Kelly's not coming?
No, no, she needs
her beauty rest.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, I guess
l can tell the bartender,
"Put the vodka
back on the shelves."
Enjoy the show.
(BEAU CONTINUES SINGING
HARD OUT HERE)
(INAUDIBLE)
Thank you very much.
What are you waiting for?
You're up, Kilgore.
Your band's there.
l was Miss Dallas, dummy.
Dallas, Kilgore,
what's the difference?
Go get that career.
How do I look?
Like a country Barbie.
Thank you.
All right.
This is it.
This is my night.
Everything
is about to change.
Excuse me. Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me. Sorry.
Here we go.
Hi, y'all.
How are you doing tonight?
I'm Chiles Stanton.
And what a beautiful
crowd you are!
I have a few
new songs for you tonight,
and I hope you like them.
(MUSlC PLAYING)
Watch this.
I'm sorry.
(SlGHS)
Oh, my.
I'm so sorry.
One more time.
Do you think somebody
could turn down
the lights a little bit?
It's awful bright in here.
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
Okay.
Oh, shit.
CHlLES: One more time.
(SlGHS)
(SINGING SUMMER GIRL)
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
(BEAU BEGINS SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Chiles Stanton, everybody!
BEAU: No, that was fun
up there, man.
(BEAU LAUGHING)
Actually, we're going to
work on that.
You two sounded
good in there.
Yeah, thanks.
Do you ever think
about doing a duet?
No.
Her good looks
and your song writing. . .
The girl's more scared
than a church mouse, James.
Yeah, but once you
get her wound up, boy. . .
We're no duo, man.
I don't even know her.
l was just sleeping
with her friend.
Why don't you go on
the road with us, Beau,
get the hell out of
these honky tonks,
step up to
the big leagues?
l think your bird is hungry.
Hey.
This could be
a hell of an opportunity
for you, you know that?
You know, I don't know
if this means
anything to you,
but I actually
enjoy playing music,
and it don't matter
who it's for.
All the rest is
just bullshit.
Bullshit.
Why don't you try to play
some of that bullshit in
a stadium full of people?
Then see if you
got anything, hoss.
I like these people
just fine.
l figured
you'd say that.
Beau, do you care
about Kelly?
What are you getting at?
Look, I know her legs
are still shaky.
l ain't stupid.
But I also know
this is the only
opportunity she has
to turn herself around,
maybe save her life.
And I thought,
maybe since you were so
concerned about Kelly
and that you were
her sponsor,
that maybe you would
come out on the road
and help me take care of her.
(SCOFFS) Maybe not.
(SINGING SUMMER GIRL)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Do you think
Chiles Stanton is pretty?
Now, come on.
No, I'm serious.
l do.
That's why I'm asking.
l think she looks like
a young Linda Ronstadt.
Yeah, well,
she's a talented kid.
Do you think
I'm talented?
(CHUCKLES)
What do you think?
How talented
do you think I am?
Very talented.
On a scale of one to 1 0.
A 1 0.
1 0's the lowest.
(CHUCKLES)
All right, a one, then.
Absolutely a one.
How about zero?
Oh, you're definitely a zero.
(KELLY CHUCKLES)
For sure.
James?
Hmm?
I'm sorry about Dallas.
So am l.
We should talk
about it sometime.
Mmm-hmm.
James?
Hmm?
l just got one of those
Brazilian bikini waxes.
l just took an Ambien.
l'll see you
in eight hours.
(SlGHS)
The first time
l heard you sing,
l knew. I wasn't
much of a church man,
but I thought that must be
what angels sound like.
l thought I'd died
and gone to heaven.
l love that story.
That's good.
Because it's true.
(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)
Kelly, how was rehab?
Well, good, I hope. (LAUGHS)
ls it too soon
for a comeback tour?
FEMALE REPORTER:
Are the divorce rumours true?
We couldn't be happier.
We've got three
sold-out shows.
We've got the hottest
two acts in country music
to come around
in a long time.
And Texas has never
seen anything this big.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Kelly, how do you feel
about returning to Dallas?
l feel okay. I think
it's going to be good.
Thanks.
MAN: Thank you, Kelly.
Anything else
to say to your fans?
l love y'all.
Thanks for coming out.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Have you forgiven
Kelly for Dallas?
She looks great,
doesn't she, guys?
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Hi, James.
Hi, Miss Kelly.
Would you mind
signing this
for me, please?
Sure.
Thank you so much.
lf you have any advice
for a young artist
such as myself,
I'd love to hear it.
Oh, I have some advice.
And James has been
so helpful.
l won't sell it on
eBay or anything.
l've just been
a fan of yours
since I was a little girl.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
This is amazing, James.
It's so beautiful,
I don't even want to pee
in the toilet.
(EXCLAlMS)
You didn't think
this was for you, did you?
No! No.
God, no.
Okay. See you in Houston.
(ALL SINGING CHUG-A-LUG)
What, you don't like
your new band?
l didn't need your help
back at The Stage.
l would've done just fine.
l know. I know.
The only reason we're doing
a duet in Houston
is because
James liked the song.
Oh, yeah,
I'm sure that's true.
(ALL CONTINUE SINGING
CHUG-A-LUG)
So, I was looking at
the set list for
Dallas and I thought,
what if I close the show
with Coming Home?
Well, we don't have
Coming Home, Kell.
Yeah, but, I mean,
Bob's going give it to us.
We've given the guy
enough number-one singles.
Thank you.
Well, let's get through
Houston first
and we'll see, okay?
Thank you.
I love Coming Home.
I mean, I think
it should be
my next single, don't you?
Well, what I love is
that Houston sold out
in 1 5 minutes.
That's what I love.
Did I tell you that?
Well, JJ, he thinks
it's a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
but I don't see it
that way, Kelly.
I think that we got
a lot of things that. . .
Kell? Hey!
Do you remember
when we were like that?
Did you hear
anything I said?
I think I weighed
about 60 pounds
soaking wet,
and I had that big
old gap in my teeth
and knock-knees.
You were the first boy
who ever told me
I was beautiful.
I remember your meat loaf.
Do you remember
the first bite?
Do you remember what was
in the first bite that I took?
I was 20 years old, James.
I was trying to be
a good wife.
Damn.
Nobody told me,
"First you cook
the dinner
"and then you put on
the Lee Press-on Nails."
I loved you so much,
I think I would've
eaten it anyway.
Do you ever wonder
what would have happened
if we had stayed in Bristol?
Yeah.
I'd be selling insurance,
you'd be singing
in the church choir,
and we'd be miserable.
Kelly, you belong on stage,
singing in front of
thousands of people.
(SIGHS)
You're probably right.
I know I'm right.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Up or down?
I want it down and full.
Like really. . .
Do you remember
how it was
in Little Rock?
HAIRDRESSER:
How could I forget?
Well, goddamn.
Hey.
You like?
Man, you look like
you're going to
kick some ass.
Yeah !
That's what I told them.
I said I want to look strong.
You look strong as hell.
Hey, guys,
can I talk to Beau
alone for a minute?
WINNIE: Okay, girls,
let's clear the room.
KELLY: Just a second, okay?
WOMAN: No problem.
What are you doing?
I want you to
make me a promise.
Okay.
Don't sleep with
anybody else on this tour.
I'm serious.
Yeah, well,
how's that fair?
You sleep with James
every night.
I don't sleep
with him like that.
We don't even kiss
with our mouths open
any more.
All right.
You're mine.
I'm yours.
Oh.
Good.
Okay, everybody,
come on back in.
I just had to give Beau
a little pep talk.
WOMAN: Okay, everybody,
we got 1 0 minutes
till showtime.
How many of those
pills are you
supposed to be taking?
I take whatever's
in the square.
That's an awfully
big square.
I've got some
awfully big problems.
(HUMMING)
Somebody get my husband.
I want him to know
how lucky he is.
(WHOOPS)
James, Kelly's
looking for you.
I'll be there
in a minute.
The blue dress.
She needs to look her age.
All right.
Do you want
her hair down?
Hey, how many
of those pills is she
supposed to be taking?
I want her hair up
because Kelly's is down.
And I want her to wear
those suede Manolos
because I don't like her boots
she's been wearing.
Okay? Thanks.
Do you like my makeup?
I did it to make
my eyes pop.
Well, you look beautiful.
James, Kelly took a lot of
those pills, all right,
and I don't know about it.
I thought maybe
you'd want to talk to her.
God damn it, Beau.
I know exactly
how many pills
Kelly took, all right?
Because I put them
in the pill box myself.
Now, the only problem
with those pills
is if she's mixing them
with alcohol.
That's your job.
Thank you.
Oh, my gosh.
That's from Emmylou.
That is so nice.
Hey. Did you find him?
Yeah, he's dealing with
a wardrobe emergency.
He said he'll be in
when he's done.
He had a wardrobe
emergency?
(BOTH GIGGLING)
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
MALE ANNOUNCER: It's an
exciting night tonight.
Y'all are the first
to hear one of the best
country lineups
in the state of Texas.
And to kick it off,
we have a newcomer,
Mr Beau Hutton.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Thank you.
Short and sweet is what
I'm going to make this.
It's caIIed Chances Are.
(SINGING CHANCES ARE)
Are you going to open up
any more of these
or do you want me
to write out a list for you?
Yeah. What's that red one?
It says "H. Roberts."
It's probably that
damn cookie place,
heard about the diet
I started yesterday.
(LAUGHS)
Man, they get you
every damn time.
(SCREAMS)
Who gave this to you?
Did you give this to her?
It was with all the other
packages. I'm sorry.
Who told you
to give this to her?
Get security.
Right away.
I can't get any air.
(CONTINUES SINGING
CHANCES ARE)
Thank you.
MALE ANNOUNCER: How about it,
ladies and gentlemen?
How about another
round of applause
for Mr Beau Hutton?
MAN: We need security down
in dressing room A right away.
What's going on?
You can't go in there, Beau.
Nobody's allowed. . .
Nobody's allowed
inside, man.
Hey, Kell.
Hey. It's Beau. Open up.
KELLY: (CRYING) I need James.
You're out of your league
on this one, boy.
KELLY: He's with her,
isn't he?
Who gives a shit
about any of that?
Just open the door.
Come on, let's talk.
I do! I love him, you idiot!
Get out of here!
Get out of here, Beau.
Let me deal
with this shit. Go!
MALE ANNOUNCER:
I'd like y'all to give
a nice, big, warm Houston
round of applause
for the former
Miss Dallas herself...
Baby, you got to
come out of there.
...the lovely and
talented Chiles Stanton.
(SINGING WORDS I COULDN"T SAY)
Those people think
I killed our baby, James.
Why would anybody
think that?
Every time I think
you're close to forgetting,
something happens
that brings it back up.
Well, I'm not going
to forget about Dallas.
It's not something
you just forget about.
What if we tried again?
I bet you
I could still get pregnant.
Kelly, listen to me.
You got a lot of people
waiting out there.
Let's just get this over with
and then we can go back
to the hotel, okay?
All right? Then we'll
get some fish and chips.
We'll get in the hot tub.
It'll be just me and you.
You don't want to leave
your fans waiting.
So, let's just
get out of here. . .
It's never been
just me and you.
Let's just get
out of here, baby.
No.
Get out of
the closet, Kelly.
Don't!
Get out of the closet.
Don't!
(GRUNTS)
Oh, my God.
I'm so sorry.
James. James.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to do that.
I'll do whatever
you want, okay? Okay?
All right.
Will you remember me
like I was?
Yeah.
Go on stage,
give them hell.
Will you give me a kiss?
(CONTINUES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
Careful of the step.
That's good.
I got it. I got it.
The first song,
Country Strong, right?
Yes.
Are you all right?
(CONTINUES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
the star of tonight's show,
six-time Grammy winner,
the beIIe of BristoI,
our very own Kelly Canter.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING COUNTRY STRONG)
Hold on one second.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Sorry. I just...
Thank you so much.
Oh...
You just cannot understand
what this means to me.
Thank you.
MAN: We love you !
I was just
in my dressing room,
and I was looking out
the window,
and I was looking up
at the big, bright sky,
and there are so many stars.
And I thought,
"Man, it Iooks Iike
they would take
such good care of you."
Do you know what I mean?
Come on, baby, come on.
Don't do this.
I never Iived on a star,
but it sure looks like fun.
Hey, what did y'all
think of Beau?
Wasn't he great?
Let's go.
Come on, come on, play!
Come on, baby,
come on. Sing !
Oh, y'all want me to sing?
Oh.
I am going to sing, okay?
I just...
I just feeI like
I need to sit down.
Would that be okay?
Can I just sit
down and just rest?
And I am going to sing.
MAN 1 : Love you !
MAN 2: All right, Kelly!
I'm going to sing.
Let's sing A Fighter, okay?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING)
Sing.
Sing, Kelly.
Sing, baby.
(INAUDIBLE)
We're never going to
make it to Dallas!
The whole show's
going to get cancelled !
Would you just relax?
Hey, where the hell
were you?
Where the hell were you
when she had
a bottle of vodka
in her dressing room?
I was on stage!
You were on stage?
Jesus Christ,
don't you have
any tricks up your sleeve?
Yeah, don't take
somebody out of rehab
before the rehab!
Who the hell
do you think
you are, kid?
(CROWD SCREAMING)
WOMAN: Will you sign this?
RICHARD: People are
ready to forgive you,
but you have to give them
something they want.
I've scheduled
an emergency
press conference
and a Make A Wish
appearance in Austin.
The kid's name is. . .
Travis.
Travis.
And he has. . .
Leukaemia.
Leukaemia.
Let's go, people.
It's time to do
some clean-up here.
(SIGHS)
JAMES: Thanks, JJ.
We'll make it up
to you next week.
She better put on
a real pretty face.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Shit. Come on, man.
You know
we're all fools
in this business.
(SEA OF HEARTBREAK PLAYING)
What are you looking at?
(SIGHS)
No one's ever going
to buy food poisoning.
She's a total basket case.
Why don't you be quiet
and tell me what
you're looking at?
Don't.
"When did General MacArthur
return to the Philippines?"
1 946.
"What does 'amorous' mean?"
Having a propensity
for falling in love.
What the hell
are these things?
Well, as a woman
in this industry,
people have a habit
of thinking I'm some
kind of ignoramus.
And my pageant training
doesn't exactly
help things,
so I have to
overcompensate.
You're not the only one
who thinks I'm just
some dumb beauty queen.
I'd never call you
a dumb beauty queen.
Give me those.
I'm serious.
Anybody that says
"ignoramus" so casually,
that's not dumb at all.
(GROANS)
Why don't y'all
just sleep together?
Get it over with.
Jesus. Really.
KELLY: I feeI great.
I feel better than I have
in a long time,
aside from the food
poisoning incident.
Note to self:
never trust a sushi bar
that's open 24 hours a day.
(ALL LAUGHING)
But all that's behind me now.
And I just want to say,
I'm really looking forward to
playing for my fans
here in Austin.
What about Dallas?
Dallas?
Yeah, your last date
will be broadcast
in Dallas, correct?
Yes.
We all know that
Dallas and I have a history,
and it's not such a good one.
So I'm really looking forward
to changing that.
Thank you.
FEMALE REPORTER: Kelly!
Kelly! Kelly!
Is this on? Ooh!
I guess so. I'm sorry.
My parents are
school teachers.
I'm not used to running
in such fancy circles.
Chiles!
Chiles!
Yes?
Chiles, who is your idol?
I'm on tour
with her right now.
And Jesus Christ, of course.
Kelly Canter
and Jesus Christ.
(ALL LAUGHING)
You and Jesus Christ.
Who would have thought?
They love her.
BEAU: Yeah, I guess.
What do you think of her?
I don't.
You're not
a very good liar, Beau.
Hey, are we still
going to hang out today, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah?
So, what do you
suppose we do?
Steal a car,
do some skinny-dipping,
shave our heads?
Hey, come on.
Let's get out of here
and have some fun.
Come on.
Okay.
(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)
(KELLY AND BEAU WHOOPING)
Well, what do you think?
I think I'm Kelly Canter
and I'm breaking the law!
(BOTH WHOOPING)
Give me more!
Yeah ! Come on !
Get it out there!
Give me more!
Yeah ! I got six Grammys
and seven platinum records!
(WHOOPING)
And everybody knows
who I am !
And? Come on, what else?
And I have
the best damn marriage
in the world of country music!
(INAUDIBLE)
(CHILES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
BOB: Yeah,
she's good, James.
Let's talk about
the Freedom Tour.
She might be
a good addition.
JAMES: You better hurry.
How about this week?
All right.
Look, I was sorry
to hear about Kelly.
We were all praying for her.
Thank you, Bob,
but she's doing just fine.
She's looking forward
to the next show.
She also loves
the tracks
you sent over.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah. Especially
Coming Home.
She thinks that could be
her next single.
Hmm.
She'd sing the hell
out of it, Bob.
The little girl
right there is the one
to sing that song.
I'll talk to you later.
What?
Maybe we should stop this.
You're married,
Kelly, you know?
Well, I've always
been married.
Yeah, but just after today,
I've been thinking that
maybe I'm just not
the best thing
for you in your life.
I want to be, but. . .
I'm just
trying to do
what's best for you.
Since when?
(SIGHS)
I think the world
of you, Beau.
But sometimes you don't have
the faintest idea of
how to talk to women.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Hey.
Do you want to hang out?
No, not really.
All right.
I just wanted to show you
my lyrics. That's all.
Where have you been?
I was with Beau.
Why do you have a towel on?
We were out
and I got so dirty
I needed to take a shower.
Well, that sounds like fun.
It was.
Can I help you
do that?
Nope, I got it.
Are you going to
let me in or what?
Do you write
all your own lyrics?
What is this,
Twenty Questions?
How come you haven't got
the chorus wrote down yet?
Because I haven't
come up with it yet.
I could write it for you.
This ain't
Mad Libs, Chiles.
You can't just
fill in a blank with
a noun America loves.
Well, I could write
good lyrics
if I wanted to.
Maybe I just
haven't been inspired
by anyone yet.
You ever think
about that?
I don't need to be
singing about
my Achy Breaky Heart.
Give In To Me?
That's what it's called?
I like that title.
Good. Then don't mess it up.
Oh, my God !
The Miss America
Pageant's on.
Oh, I'm just dying for
Miss Oklahoma to win.
She's got the best figure,
and she does
the prettiest ribbon routine.
I think I need a drink.
Do you want one?
Just a tiny one.
How would I
change the world
if I won this crown?
(LAUGHING)
I would start by
putting country music
on all US outbound flights.
Then I'd change
the national anthem
to Merle Haggard's
Mama Tried.
This is how you win
a beauty pageant.
Oh, let's see.
(CHILES CLEARING THROAT)
"Thank you,
ladies and gentlemen,
distinguished judges."
That's such bullshit.
(CHILES LAUGHING)
And then I give them
one of my seven smiles.
Yeah, let's see them.
Well, I got swimsuit.
And then interview.
I like that one.
I got my formal wear.
Which one's your
drunk-off-my-ass smile?
I think you're drunk.
You know,
I think we should have
a swimsuit competition.
I don't have a swimsuit.
Well, you're wearing
a bra and panties,
aren't you?
Yeah.
Yeah, it's the same thing.
Yeah, I'm doing it.
Here we go.
You versus me.
Beau, what are you doing?
Don't be a chickenshit
about this, Chiles.
I've seen plenty of ladies
in their swimsuits before.
I'll get into mine
just so we're even.
Your turn.
All right.
But no pictures.
I may go on to be
Miss America one day.
So, what do we do now?
Build a sandcastle
or something?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Oh, my God.
That must be James.
What the hell's he
doing here?
Put your pants on.
Well, it's not like
you have to answer it
or anything.
You know I do.
Put your pants on. Hurry.
Hi, James.
Hey.
I was just showing Beau
my pageant walk.
And he was leaving.
Right, Beau?
You were just leaving?
Yeah.
Well, that's something
I'd like to see.
Is that guyliner?
(CHUCKLES)
That's real cute, Beau.
The Statesman's
calling you the next
Carrie Underwood.
Really?
Yes.
You're on their
"Top Ten Country
Artists to Watch" list.
Was Beau on the list?
Yes.
"The next Townes Van Zandt."
Who's that?
He was a singer-songwriter.
Was he famous?
In some circles,
but not nearly as famous
as Carrie Underwood.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
How did you know?
How did you know
I had it in me?
I just took one look
at you, darling. I mean,
you might as well be
holding up a stop sign.
Most people just
pass right through.
Yeah, well,
they'll regret it.
I promise you that.
Well, you just
got to figure out
another pickup line.
Hi, Beau.
Did you have
a good time last night?
Yeah. Sure.
Yeah, that's good.
I finished your lyrics
for you. There they are.
God, how did you ever
find the time?
You be quiet,
Beau Hutton.
(CHUCKLES)
Chiles, me and the guys here,
we were talking
about that year
MacArthur returned
back to the Philippines.
Just none of us could
think of when that was.
When was that?
Are you making
fun of me, Beau?
Well, I don't know.
Let me check my flash card.
Yes, I am.
You're an asshole, man.
(SINGS LINE OF A COUNTRY SONG)
What are you doing here?
You're not
supposed to be here.
Yeah, well, I just
looked for the biggest
shit-hole bar in town
and there you were, Beau.
You're not that hard
to figure out.
I thought you didn't want
anything else to do with me.
I'm waving a white flag.
I got a surprise for you.
Come on, Winnie's
waiting for us out front.
Come on !
Seriously?
Yeah. You gotta to
learn your way around
a recording studio.
After Dallas,
your fans are going to
want to buy something.
(CHILES SINGING COMING HOME)
What's going on?
What are you
doing here, Kelly?
That's my song.
I know you liked
the song, baby,
but Bob sent
some other songs over
that were much better,
much more
appropriate for you.
I liked them a lot.
This song, it was too,
I don't know what.
It was just too. . .
Too what?
Too good? Too young? What?
It wasn't right for you.
(SCOFFS)
I get it.
You can't expect to be
the toast of the town
after the way you've acted.
Oh, believe me,
you've made it
perfectly clear
that I'm not the toast
of anyone's town.
Kelly, listen.
Get off of me!
(CHILES CONTINUES SINGING)
(CRYING)
Hey.
Leave me alone, James.
Kell, I got somebody out here
who wants to see you, okay?
Who?
Look here.
She's been asking
for you all day.
Loretta Lynn.
I'm busy, you know,
today, and. . .
I thought you could
take her back
to the hotel with you,
take care of her.
You're just trying to
make me feel better.
I got to run over
to Stanley's this afternoon
and I can't take her with me.
They won't allow it.
You know? So. . .
It would help.
Oh, my God, James.
She's so tiny.
Yeah, she is, isn't she?
She gets hungry really fast.
So, you should
probably come on out.
Okay.
All right.
You must not think
I'm much of a man.
I never said that.
I don't always
dance for her, you know?
I know.
She used to be
tough as nails.
What happened to her?
I don't know.
She had a fire in her.
The only place
she wanted to be
was on stage.
That was it.
I don't know
when she got
so goddamn fragile.
Maybe she's done.
No. No, I can't let her
go out like this.
Then, let's just
stop her right now.
Before it gets any worse.
No. No.
Just turn the bus around
and put her back in rehab.
It might get better.
She can get stronger.
You and I both know
she's not getting any better.
You're just talking
like her sponsor.
(SIGHS)
You and I both know
I was never her sponsor.
Where's Kell?
She told me she was
going to pick you up.
(SINGING KEEP ON SMILIN')
(ALL CHEERING)
MAN: Shake it, girl !
Kelly, come on.
Come on, time to go.
Beau ! Beau !
Get down.
Hey! Just give her
a break, guys.
MAN: We're just having
a good time with her.
KELLY: Stop it!
BEAU: Just listen to me.
How dare you do that to me?
I don't give a shit!
Can you get down
here now, Chiles?
It's Miss Kitty's
on 38th 1 /2.
How dare you?
Those people are my friends!
Because
I need your help.
Come in here
and pull me out of a bar.
I don't care.
Just take a cab
and pull around back.
Who do you think you are?
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(GROANS)
You're just somebody's
daughter, aren't you?
Yes, I guess I am.
Whose daughter are you?
Her name is Sandy.
I'm Sandy's daughter.
She must have done
a real number on you.
Yes, ma'am, she did.
Don't call me "ma'am."
Sorry.
I always wanted a daughter.
You did?
I will, one day.
I'm going to have
a daughter and treat her
just like fine china.
I'll tell her
how smart she is.
And I'm going to
let her drive
whenever she wants.
And I'll let her
get her ears pierced.
I will.
I got my ears pierced
when I was six.
I had my eye on these
beautiful diamond stars.
I told myself
they were diamonds,
but I'm pretty sure
they were just CZs.
My mom said I had to get
the starting-out earrings
and those were just
boring old gold balls.
You know,
just the real plain ones.
She said I could
change them out
if I was responsible enough
to clean them,
but she never let me.
Well, they sound
real pretty.
Yeah, they were
real pretty.
I think you can have
one hell of a career
if you want one.
I want one.
I know you do.
Be nice to Beau, okay?
He thinks
he's so tough.
But I ain't ever
had a man be
so gentle with me.
He's one of
the good ones.
He's one of
the only good ones.
Does this mean
we're friends?
No, sweetheart.
It don't mean a thing.
AUDIENCE: (CHANTING)
Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!
Where in the hell
have y'all been?
(VOMITING)
Hey! Hey!
Get a hold of yourself!
Come on ! Get it together!
Let her alone, James.
She's sick.
JJ, she's fine.
She's a little
under the weather.
She's done. We're done.
The sponsor's been pulled.
The show is over.
JJ, look.
You can fix this.
You know them well.
They trust you.
We go back a long way.
I just lost
a quarter of a million
in return tickets.
I'm probably not
the person you want to ask.
JJ, come on.
It's not all about money!
I cannot believe
we fell for this shit again.
We got to have Dallas.
She's done.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
How y'all doing tonight?
Thank you
very much for waiting.
I have a special
surprise for you.
It's a new song,
and I'm going to need
my friend, Chiles Stanton,
to come out
and sing this with me.
No.
She's a very
talented songwriter
and this is her song.
Will you please
welcome to the stage,
Miss Chiles Stanton.
Come on.
What the hell are you doing?
Hi, everybody.
This is our first time
singing it,
so please be kind to us.
(SINGING GIVE IN TO ME)
I have sources
that say alcohol
was involved.
I don't know
anything about that.
Thousands of people paid
their hard-earned money
to see Kelly
perform tonight,
and they're walking
away disappointed.
What do you say to that?
I'd say I expect
a little more loyalty.
Kelly?
Get out of here, Beau.
Get the hell out, kid !
What the hell did you say?
She's not your wife!
Yeah, she ain't yours,
either!
Get the hell out of here,
you goddamn asshole!
Do you feel tough now?
Get dressed, Kelly.
You're the only one
that's good enough
for me, is that it?
No, but I'm a hell of
a lot better
than that asshole.
You're no better
than him at all.
Do you think he gives
a shit about you?
Do you think
you give a shit about me?
Knocking on my door
every goddamn day!
If you gave a shit
about me,
you would have left me alone
in the first place!
I'm here for you
and you're just
too dumb to realise it.
You just want
what you can get.
Give me the bottle, Kelly.
Give it to me!
No more.
Give it to me!
Give it!
(CRYING)
Why did you do that?
I'm tired.
Come on,
let's get you to bed.
(GROANING)
I'm sorry.
(STEAL YOU AWAY PLAYING)
PBR.
Dallas is going to be
cancelled, isn't it?
She's crazy.
She's not crazy.
She's the only
honest one here.
Why are you here, Chiles?
I don't know.
I'm tired.
Wait!
Wait, what?
Do you want to come in?
Stop it.
Fine.
Wait! Don't. . .
Don't make me say it.
Say what?
You're being
very rude right now.
Tell me what you want.
Nothing.
(SINGING GIVE IN TO ME)
Where are you going?
They found Loretta Lynn's
box at the bar.
They were going to
throw her out
with the garbage.
I'm going to give her
to somebody who can
take care of her.
I thought we had that
Make A Wish thing
today at noon.
It doesn't matter any more.
You don't have to do it.
Hey, I talked to JJ.
He's going to
let us have Dallas.
I can't imagine why.
What if I told you
I was never Miss Dallas?
I'd probably
like you even more.
Were you?
I almost was.
What happened?
I choked.
Like always.
They asked me
what my stance
on global warming was,
and all I could think of
was a planet in a big,
old sweater
my grandma used to make me.
I'm sure that would have
kept the whole world
nice and warm.
Do you stilI like me?
I stilI like you.
I'm serious, Beau.
I stilI like you.
But I'm not what I seem.
Well, maybe that's
what I like about you.
Did you ever
think of that?
No.
Maybe that's what
makes you different
from all those other
pretty pennies out there.
It's just going to be
a few minutes
of your time,
okay, Mrs Canter?
Just take a couple
of photos with the boy
and we'll have you
on your way.
Okay.
It's right down here.
Do you need a coffee?
No, I'm fine.
Thank you.
Hi.
Thank you so much
for coming.
It just means
the world to us.
It's my pleasure.
Thank you. Which one is. . .
Is that Travis there?
He's right over there.
Okay.
Hi.
Hi.
Are you Travis?
Yes.
Do you mind if I sit down?
No.
Okay.
Hi.
Is this your class?
Yes.
Do you have
any fun in here?
Yes.
You do?
That's good.
Thanks for inviting me.
You're welcome.
Tell her how much
you love her music, Travis.
Are you going to play
a song for me?
What? Am I going to play
a song for you?
No, you don't have to.
Oh, yes, I am.
I am. That's why
I brought my guys.
Come on in, guys.
There's just one little thing
which is,
I wrote this new song,
and I'm not sure
if it's any good,
so I was. . .
Thanks.
I was hoping that
I could play it for you
and you tell me
what you think, okay?
Okay.
It's called Travis.
And it goes like this.
(SINGING TRA VIS,
CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE?)
What did you think?
Is it over?
Travis. I'm sorry.
Is it. . . No. Uh-uh.
No, it's not, is it?
No. Uh-uh.
We got a whole other part.
Don't we, guys?
And it goes like. . .
(RESUMES SINGING)
What do you say?
Would you dance
with me for real?
You would?
Oh, my gosh.
Come on, boys,
bring it home.
This is my lucky day.
Oh, my gosh. Okay.
Show me what you got.
(KELLY LAUGHING)
Come on, guys!
Are you going
to dance with us?
(WHOOPING)
Let's see your moves
on the floor now.
Oh, yeah.
I like those moves.
(WHOOPS)
Okay, bring it home for me.
Yeah.
(SIGHS)
(FLY AGAIN PLAYING)
I'm Nick Beres reporting live
outside the downtown arena
where country music
superstar Kelly Canter
is set to arrive any moment.
Mrs Canter came down
with food poisoning
in Houston.
She didn't show up
in Austin.
But her fans here
have not given up hope.
(ALL CHEERING)
FEMALE REPORTER:
Almost a year ago today,
Kelly Canter performed
at this very same arena
in what became
the most talked about
performance of the year.
Mrs Canter,
who was five months pregnant,
tripped over a microphone cord
and fell 1 0 feet off
the edge of the stage.
She had a blood-alcohol level
of . 1 9 at the time.
She's hit rock bottom.
And sometimes
you have to hit rock bottom
to realise what you had.
And I think she's
going to come back.
Better than ever.
(CROWD CHEERING)
MALE REPORTER:
I was here last year when
it all fell apart for Kelly.
I mean,
how many chances
can someone get?
FEMALE REPORTER:
I don't know.
Let's ask the fans out there.
What do you think?
Are you ready to hear
Kelly's big encore?
You can't afford these.
Don't worry about that.
I can't take these.
Put them on.
No.
Put them on.
I want to see them on.
Better than gold balls?
Yeah.
I'm leaving
after the show,
heading to California.
Why?
There's an opportunity
for me out there.
A friend of a friend
has got a ranch on the beach
and needs somebody
to help him out.
Somebody like you.
And you.
What about our music?
That's the best part.
There's this bar right
in the centre of town
that just lost
its Saturday night lineup,
and I know it's not
a 1 0-city tour or anything,
but it's a bunch of
hard-working people
that like to listen
to good music
while they drink their beer.
I just figured maybe
we could write
during the day,
see if we come up
with anything,
enough to write an album.
I already have enough songs
to make an album.
If you want to sing
those country pop songs,
you go right ahead.
But you're better
than that, Chiles.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are. I swear it.
Just because they might
put them on the radio
it doesn't mean
they're worth a damn.
(SIGHS) I've never seen
the beach before.
So come with me.
Okay.
You will?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
We're ready for you, Beau.
All right.
Okay.
Beau.
What if you gave me
a little time
to think about it?
(SIGHS)
You take
all the time you need.
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Good evening, Dallas.
Welcome to the Kelly
Canter Encore Tour.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Now, to start things off,
let's hear it for the man
you fell in love with
back in NashviIIe,
Beau Hutton!
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
WOMAN: I love you, Beau !
I'd like to dedicate
this first song
to Kelly Canter.
She's the reason I'm here.
She's a true talent.
This one's not
on the set Iist,
but that doesn't mean
it isn't pretty.
This one's for you, Kelly.
(SINGING
HIDE ME BABE)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Pretty.
Thank you.
You got a pen and paper?
Yeah, sure.
I've been thinking
of some things
that I want to tell you.
Okay.
Don't ever wear satin
on stage 'cause
it wrinkles like anything,
and your sweat will show
right through it,
I don't care
how pretty the dress is.
Always travel
with your costumes
and if anything
ever needs mending,
send it to Arturo
in Beverly Hills.
He's the best.
Don't take laxatives ever
because they never work
the way you want them to.
Don't drink anything
carbonated on a show day.
Okay? It'll make you bloat.
Wear high heels
everywhere you go.
And when it comes to
writing your own songs,
don't get too concerned
about it, all right?
Your motto should
always be,
"The best song wins."
And don't be afraid
to fall in love.
It's the only thing
that matters in life.
The only thing.
Do you understand
what I'm telling you?
Yeah.
You just fall in love
with as many things
as possible.
You're going to
have to find a way
to tell people
about your parents
'cause they're not
school teachers, are they?
Have either one of them
been in prison
for anything violent?
Yeah.
Are they out?
My mom is.
Well, you got to work
with a publicist
and decide the best way
to get it out.
You never want to hide
anything from your fans.
It's just not worth it.
Okay?
Okay.
How did you know?
I just had a feeling.
(SINGING
TURN LOOSE THE HORSES)
Thank you very much.
We got somebody special
coming up.
I want you to give
a warm welcome
to Miss Chiles Stanton.
Wow. That is a welcome
dreams are made of.
Thank y'all so much.
Mr Beau Hutton, everyone.
Isn't he the best?
(SINGING
A LITTLE BIT STRONGER)
(SIGHS)
Hey. Thanks for the song.
You might have been
the only one that liked it.
Oh, come on, now.
I guess they're not buying
the bad shrimp.
Yeah, I guess not.
Do you think I'm crazy?
No.
I just don't think
love and fame can live
in the same place.
I loved that baby, too, Beau.
I was sadder than anybody
when I lost it.
I can't change my past.
You know?
I can't change
how much I drank.
I'm stronger than all this.
You know that, right?
I know.
I'm going to give them
one hell of a show.
I thought you would.
Come here.
(SINGING
A LITTLE BIT STRONGER)
(ALL CHEERING)
You got a full house
out there.
I heard.
I've never loved anybody
like I loved you.
You know that, right?
Let's just get through
tonight, okay?
Hey, Dove.
Give them hell tonight, okay?
(INAUDIBLE)
(AUDIENCE CHANTING)
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
let's welcome back to Dallas
the lady you've been
waiting to see,
the beIIe of BristoI,
six-time Grammy winner,
country superstar
Kelly Canter.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING COUNTRY STRONG)
(SINGING SHAKE THAT THING)
Yeah !
(ALL CHANTING)
(SINGING COMING HOME)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
That's how it's done,
sweetheart.
(EXHALES)
Okay?
(CROWD CHEERING)
(INAUDIBLE)
WINNIE: Okay, we got
The Chronicle here.
They want pictures.
Chiles, you, too.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Earlier tonight,
this stadium pulsed
with excitement
over an incredible
performance
by country superstar
Kelly Canter.
But it still begs
the inevitable question,
"How long
will her sobriety last?"
(ALL CHEERING)
MAN: Fill it up! Let's go!
James.
Yeah.
Hi. What can we expect
next from Kelly?
Well, more songs,
more shows,
and a hell of a lot more
of what we saw tonight.
FEMALE REPORTER 1 :
Beau, look this way!
FEMALE REPORTER 2:
Beau, right here!
Well done, James.
It looks like
Kelly's going to
get her encore after all.
Well, now,
we couldn't have done it
without you, could we?
Thanks, man.
I'll see you in Nashville.
We'll talk about
some more dates.
Yeah, JJ. All right.
Yeah, thanks.
Who needs a drink?
MAN: Right here.
One for me, one for you.
Next week,
I'm recording my new single,
and hopefully continuing
on this amazing tour.
Hey, Beau.
Where's Kell?
Jesse Clark
of Country FM.
She's just
cleaning up a bit.
She'll be back out.
Great set.
How does it feel to have your
career change overnight?
(KNOCKING)
Kell? Kell. . .
(JIGGLING DOORKNOB)
(POUNDING)
Kell? Kell. Kelly!
Kelly. Hey, Kelly.
What did you take?
Kelly, how many
did you take? Kelly!
Come on, wake up. Wake up.
How many did you take, Kelly?
(SIRENS WAILING)
(TIMING IS EVERYTHING PLAYING)
(INAUDIBLE)
KELLY: Dear Beau.
You once told me
that love and fame
can't live in the same place.
If that is true,
there's only one choice to make,
especially for someone
as gentle and loving as you.
I don't regret
a single moment
we spent together.
You filled my last days
with true happiness.
So choose love.
Take off and don't look back.
Because there is no one
more worthy of love than you.
Waylon said it best
when he sang to Willie.
"If you see me
getting smaller,
"I'm leaving,
don't be grieving.
"I just got to
get away from here.
"If you see me
getting smaller,
don't worry, I'm in no hurry.
"I've got the right
to disappear."
(BEAU SINGING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING)
Thank you.
Thank you all for
coming out tonight
on a Saturday night.
You've been real kind.
MAN: Play another one, Beau.
All right, then.
This one's called
Chances Are.
Well, goddamn.
I'd like to bring
a friend on stage,
a wonderful songwriter
I met in Nashville.
She just so happens
to be here tonight.
Will you welcome to the stage
Miss Chiles Stanton.
And this one's called
Give In To Me.
(PLAYING GUITAR)
(SINGING)
(ME AND TENNESSEE PLAYING)
(TIMING IS EVERYTHING PLAYING)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
BEAU: When I was a littIe boy,
my mom used to play
A Portrait of Merle Haggard
every night before bed.
Her favourite song
was Silver Wings,
so I figured I'd surprise her
and learn how to play it.
I played that song
day and night until my fingers bled.
(BEAU CHUCKLES)
Finally, when I sat her down
to play it,
she waited until I was finished
and then she said,
"Merle sings it better,
but keep trying."
(BEAU LAUGHS)
So I guess I am.
(BEAU SINGING SILVER WINGS)
Put it out, Beau.
Yes, ma'am.
Peterson went through
withdrawal all over
the dogwood deck.
It's got your name on it.
And Beau?
I don't want to see you
anywhere near Mrs Canter's room.
(BEAU PLAYING GUITAR)
(BOTH AD LIBBING COUNTRY LYRICS)
The what?
The what was wet?
Go with it.
What did you get wet?
The stage was wet.
Oh, the stage
was wet, right.
(STRUGGLING TO FIND LYRICS)
I'm looking.
That's when it what?
You keep messing me up here.
I'm sorry. (LAUGHING)
You know, here. You just. . .
You were what?
You sing it.
What were you going to say?
No, that was good.
Why are you
giving this to me?
Go on, please.
What?
I don't know.
Make it yours.
I like that song.
What do you say
when you start?
"l remember that day."
"l remember that day.
When. . ." When what?
"When we first met."
(AD LIBBING LYRICS WlTH EASE)
How do you do that so fast?
l didn't do anything.
You were there.
You had it already.
Give me that.
"Timing is everything."
Try that one.
I like that.
That one was good.
(SINGING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING)
(BOTH SINGING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
JAMES: Kell.
What's going on?
This is Beau.
Do you remember him?
He's one of my sponsors.
We were just
messing around.
Of course.
Hey, Beau.
How are you doing?
Hey, beautiful.
Hi.
Beau, would you mind
getting a couple bellhops
for Kelly's bags?
You got bellhops here,
don't you?
No, sir.
Well, then, do you mind?
Because the car's out front.
They're letting me out early.
Well, you still got
another month left.
They think I'm better.
Better than what?
l was going to tell you.
l was. . .
l was just thinking,
"How am I going to tell you?"
Beau !
Are you Kelly's doctor?
Because the last I checked,
Dr Stevens was
taking care of her.
No, he's just being protective.
Aren't you, Beau?
He's just being
a good sponsor.
Why don't you let me
be the protective one,
all right, hoss?
Now, if you wouldn't mind,
I'd like to get some help
with these bags
so we can get
Kelly out of here.
She doesn't travel light,
in case you hadn't noticed.
(SlGHS)
JAMES: The first two
venues are small.
We'll ease you back into it.
And the third?
We're going to go back
to Dallas, televised.
What?
Yeah, we're going to
prove them all wrong.
Look, Kell, you're
the toughest girl I know,
so if you tell me
you're not ready,
well, then,
l'll take that
at face value.
l want Beau
to open for me.
Who's Beau?
He's that kid you just met.
He's a singer.
He's a good one.
Well, why don't we
get the gardener
to open for you?
I'm sure he's good.
It's important to me.
Besides, l've already got
an opener for you.
Chiles Stanton.
The beauty queen
l was telling you about.
She's playing tonight
at The Stage,
and I'm going to go
check her out.
I'm sure you are.
You can check out Beau
while you're there.
All right. Well,
how about this?
Look, l'll. . .
Hold on. l'll go
check out Chiles tonight
and if it doesn't work out,
and if she doesn't
blow me away,
then we'll look at
other options.
Don't placate me.
l wouldn't dare.
Oh, yeah.
(SlGHS)
So, where did you
find the bird?
Under a tree down there.
(SlGHS)
l waited 20 minutes
for her mama to come back,
and when she didn't,
l swooped her up.
l've been taking care
of her ever since.
lt looks like
a baby quail.
l've been calling
her Loretta Lynn.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
What if I took her
for just a little while?
l'll take care of her.
You got a really
big tour that you need
to get ready for.
Okay.
Hey.
l got a good idea.
What?
Let's get out of here.
Let's go.
FEMALE NEWSCASTER:
Nashville's Kelly Canter
was released, once again,
from rehab this morning.
You'II remember,
the country music star
was arrested last year
for drunk and
disorderly conduct
while performing
at a show in Dallas.
She was five months
pregnant at the time.
Hi, guys. Hey. Hey,
how are you doing?
Be careful.
We can't wait to
get on the road again.
We can't wait for
the tour to start.
Kelly's feeling
better than ever.
She's looking
better than ever.
And it's going to be fun.
We can't wait
to get in front of
the fans again, okay?
Thanks, guys. Take care.
FEMALE REPORTER:
James, what about
the divorce rumours?
Hey, Beau.
What are you doing here?
l couldn't just
wait by the phone
for you to call, could l?
I'm here to hear you sing.
And to support Chiles,
of course.
Chiles? What does she
got to do with tonight?
You be nice, Beau.
Find me after the show.
All right.
(SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
Oh, hi, Beau.
You better be here
to wish me luck.
I'm on the board.
I'm playing
three songs tonight.
Says who?
Says James Canter,
that's who.
Bullshit.
Bull-true.
l happen to be
in consideration
as the new opening act
for Miss Kelly Canter.
James, my new manager,
booked me this gig
as a rehearsal.
Not that I need it.
l've been ready
for this moment since
l was four years old.
The last time I saw you sing,
you froze up like an ice cube.
That was seven
and a half months ago.
And it was just that one time.
I'm not playing
county fairs any more.
I'm much more seasoned.
You don't have any songs.
You can't even
play the guitar.
l've been writing songs.
l got a whole bunch
of them right over there.
LittIe Heartbreaker,
Summer Girl,
Rinky Dinky Town.
These aren't songs,
these are rides at Disneyland.
(RESUMES SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
Clint,
tell me Garth Brooks here
isn't opening up for me.
She's not. She's closing.
l can't do anything
about it, either.
It's your place.
You can tell her no.
Not to James Canter, I can't.
So you're going to
let this prom queen
get up on stage?
l mean, for Christ's sake,
Patsy Cline sang here.
I don't care if she sings
Yankee Doodle Dandy,
she's still going to play.
I'm not cutting
your set, Beau.
You've got
the same three songs.
Don't worry, Beau.
l have no intention
of stealing your
invisible career.
(SlGHS) You see,
l want one.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING HARD OUT HERE)
Hey, you did make it.
Good to see you.
How are you doing?
We got
a packed house tonight,
l got your favourite spot
on the rail right
straight through here,
and Chiles is up next.
Yeah, what do you
hear about her?
Well, I saw her
last Tuesday at Robert's.
And to tell you the truth,
I don't know
which was bigger,
the hair or the dress.
Hey, she could be
a diamond in
the rough, you know?
Well, I ain't got
much time for rough.
Yeah, I hear that.
Kelly's not coming?
No, no, she needs
her beauty rest.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, I guess
l can tell the bartender,
"Put the vodka
back on the shelves."
Enjoy the show.
(BEAU CONTINUES SINGING
HARD OUT HERE)
(INAUDIBLE)
Thank you very much.
What are you waiting for?
You're up, Kilgore.
Your band's there.
l was Miss Dallas, dummy.
Dallas, Kilgore,
what's the difference?
Go get that career.
How do I look?
Like a country Barbie.
Thank you.
All right.
This is it.
This is my night.
Everything
is about to change.
Excuse me. Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me. Sorry.
Here we go.
Hi, y'all.
How are you doing tonight?
I'm Chiles Stanton.
And what a beautiful
crowd you are!
I have a few
new songs for you tonight,
and I hope you like them.
(MUSlC PLAYING)
Watch this.
I'm sorry.
(SlGHS)
Oh, my.
I'm so sorry.
One more time.
Do you think somebody
could turn down
the lights a little bit?
It's awful bright in here.
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
Okay.
Oh, shit.
CHlLES: One more time.
(SlGHS)
(SINGING SUMMER GIRL)
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
(BEAU BEGINS SINGING
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES)
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Chiles Stanton, everybody!
BEAU: No, that was fun
up there, man.
(BEAU LAUGHING)
Actually, we're going to
work on that.
You two sounded
good in there.
Yeah, thanks.
Do you ever think
about doing a duet?
No.
Her good looks
and your song writing. . .
The girl's more scared
than a church mouse, James.
Yeah, but once you
get her wound up, boy. . .
We're no duo, man.
I don't even know her.
l was just sleeping
with her friend.
Why don't you go on
the road with us, Beau,
get the hell out of
these honky tonks,
step up to
the big leagues?
l think your bird is hungry.
Hey.
This could be
a hell of an opportunity
for you, you know that?
You know, I don't know
if this means
anything to you,
but I actually
enjoy playing music,
and it don't matter
who it's for.
All the rest is
just bullshit.
Bullshit.
Why don't you try to play
some of that bullshit in
a stadium full of people?
Then see if you
got anything, hoss.
I like these people
just fine.
l figured
you'd say that.
Beau, do you care
about Kelly?
What are you getting at?
Look, I know her legs
are still shaky.
l ain't stupid.
But I also know
this is the only
opportunity she has
to turn herself around,
maybe save her life.
And I thought,
maybe since you were so
concerned about Kelly
and that you were
her sponsor,
that maybe you would
come out on the road
and help me take care of her.
(SCOFFS) Maybe not.
(SINGING SUMMER GIRL)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Do you think
Chiles Stanton is pretty?
Now, come on.
No, I'm serious.
l do.
That's why I'm asking.
l think she looks like
a young Linda Ronstadt.
Yeah, well,
she's a talented kid.
Do you think
I'm talented?
(CHUCKLES)
What do you think?
How talented
do you think I am?
Very talented.
On a scale of one to 1 0.
A 1 0.
1 0's the lowest.
(CHUCKLES)
All right, a one, then.
Absolutely a one.
How about zero?
Oh, you're definitely a zero.
(KELLY CHUCKLES)
For sure.
James?
Hmm?
I'm sorry about Dallas.
So am l.
We should talk
about it sometime.
Mmm-hmm.
James?
Hmm?
l just got one of those
Brazilian bikini waxes.
l just took an Ambien.
l'll see you
in eight hours.
(SlGHS)
The first time
l heard you sing,
l knew. I wasn't
much of a church man,
but I thought that must be
what angels sound like.
l thought I'd died
and gone to heaven.
l love that story.
That's good.
Because it's true.
(REPORTERS CLAMOURING)
Kelly, how was rehab?
Well, good, I hope. (LAUGHS)
ls it too soon
for a comeback tour?
FEMALE REPORTER:
Are the divorce rumours true?
We couldn't be happier.
We've got three
sold-out shows.
We've got the hottest
two acts in country music
to come around
in a long time.
And Texas has never
seen anything this big.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Kelly, how do you feel
about returning to Dallas?
l feel okay. I think
it's going to be good.
Thanks.
MAN: Thank you, Kelly.
Anything else
to say to your fans?
l love y'all.
Thanks for coming out.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Have you forgiven
Kelly for Dallas?
She looks great,
doesn't she, guys?
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Hi, James.
Hi, Miss Kelly.
Would you mind
signing this
for me, please?
Sure.
Thank you so much.
lf you have any advice
for a young artist
such as myself,
I'd love to hear it.
Oh, I have some advice.
And James has been
so helpful.
l won't sell it on
eBay or anything.
l've just been
a fan of yours
since I was a little girl.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
This is amazing, James.
It's so beautiful,
I don't even want to pee
in the toilet.
(EXCLAlMS)
You didn't think
this was for you, did you?
No! No.
God, no.
Okay. See you in Houston.
(ALL SINGING CHUG-A-LUG)
What, you don't like
your new band?
l didn't need your help
back at The Stage.
l would've done just fine.
l know. I know.
The only reason we're doing
a duet in Houston
is because
James liked the song.
Oh, yeah,
I'm sure that's true.
(ALL CONTINUE SINGING
CHUG-A-LUG)
So, I was looking at
the set list for
Dallas and I thought,
what if I close the show
with Coming Home?
Well, we don't have
Coming Home, Kell.
Yeah, but, I mean,
Bob's going give it to us.
We've given the guy
enough number-one singles.
Thank you.
Well, let's get through
Houston first
and we'll see, okay?
Thank you.
I love Coming Home.
I mean, I think
it should be
my next single, don't you?
Well, what I love is
that Houston sold out
in 1 5 minutes.
That's what I love.
Did I tell you that?
Well, JJ, he thinks
it's a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
but I don't see it
that way, Kelly.
I think that we got
a lot of things that. . .
Kell? Hey!
Do you remember
when we were like that?
Did you hear
anything I said?
I think I weighed
about 60 pounds
soaking wet,
and I had that big
old gap in my teeth
and knock-knees.
You were the first boy
who ever told me
I was beautiful.
I remember your meat loaf.
Do you remember
the first bite?
Do you remember what was
in the first bite that I took?
I was 20 years old, James.
I was trying to be
a good wife.
Damn.
Nobody told me,
"First you cook
the dinner
"and then you put on
the Lee Press-on Nails."
I loved you so much,
I think I would've
eaten it anyway.
Do you ever wonder
what would have happened
if we had stayed in Bristol?
Yeah.
I'd be selling insurance,
you'd be singing
in the church choir,
and we'd be miserable.
Kelly, you belong on stage,
singing in front of
thousands of people.
(SIGHS)
You're probably right.
I know I'm right.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Up or down?
I want it down and full.
Like really. . .
Do you remember
how it was
in Little Rock?
HAIRDRESSER:
How could I forget?
Well, goddamn.
Hey.
You like?
Man, you look like
you're going to
kick some ass.
Yeah !
That's what I told them.
I said I want to look strong.
You look strong as hell.
Hey, guys,
can I talk to Beau
alone for a minute?
WINNIE: Okay, girls,
let's clear the room.
KELLY: Just a second, okay?
WOMAN: No problem.
What are you doing?
I want you to
make me a promise.
Okay.
Don't sleep with
anybody else on this tour.
I'm serious.
Yeah, well,
how's that fair?
You sleep with James
every night.
I don't sleep
with him like that.
We don't even kiss
with our mouths open
any more.
All right.
You're mine.
I'm yours.
Oh.
Good.
Okay, everybody,
come on back in.
I just had to give Beau
a little pep talk.
WOMAN: Okay, everybody,
we got 1 0 minutes
till showtime.
How many of those
pills are you
supposed to be taking?
I take whatever's
in the square.
That's an awfully
big square.
I've got some
awfully big problems.
(HUMMING)
Somebody get my husband.
I want him to know
how lucky he is.
(WHOOPS)
James, Kelly's
looking for you.
I'll be there
in a minute.
The blue dress.
She needs to look her age.
All right.
Do you want
her hair down?
Hey, how many
of those pills is she
supposed to be taking?
I want her hair up
because Kelly's is down.
And I want her to wear
those suede Manolos
because I don't like her boots
she's been wearing.
Okay? Thanks.
Do you like my makeup?
I did it to make
my eyes pop.
Well, you look beautiful.
James, Kelly took a lot of
those pills, all right,
and I don't know about it.
I thought maybe
you'd want to talk to her.
God damn it, Beau.
I know exactly
how many pills
Kelly took, all right?
Because I put them
in the pill box myself.
Now, the only problem
with those pills
is if she's mixing them
with alcohol.
That's your job.
Thank you.
Oh, my gosh.
That's from Emmylou.
That is so nice.
Hey. Did you find him?
Yeah, he's dealing with
a wardrobe emergency.
He said he'll be in
when he's done.
He had a wardrobe
emergency?
(BOTH GIGGLING)
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
MALE ANNOUNCER: It's an
exciting night tonight.
Y'all are the first
to hear one of the best
country lineups
in the state of Texas.
And to kick it off,
we have a newcomer,
Mr Beau Hutton.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Thank you.
Short and sweet is what
I'm going to make this.
It's caIIed Chances Are.
(SINGING CHANCES ARE)
Are you going to open up
any more of these
or do you want me
to write out a list for you?
Yeah. What's that red one?
It says "H. Roberts."
It's probably that
damn cookie place,
heard about the diet
I started yesterday.
(LAUGHS)
Man, they get you
every damn time.
(SCREAMS)
Who gave this to you?
Did you give this to her?
It was with all the other
packages. I'm sorry.
Who told you
to give this to her?
Get security.
Right away.
I can't get any air.
(CONTINUES SINGING
CHANCES ARE)
Thank you.
MALE ANNOUNCER: How about it,
ladies and gentlemen?
How about another
round of applause
for Mr Beau Hutton?
MAN: We need security down
in dressing room A right away.
What's going on?
You can't go in there, Beau.
Nobody's allowed. . .
Nobody's allowed
inside, man.
Hey, Kell.
Hey. It's Beau. Open up.
KELLY: (CRYING) I need James.
You're out of your league
on this one, boy.
KELLY: He's with her,
isn't he?
Who gives a shit
about any of that?
Just open the door.
Come on, let's talk.
I do! I love him, you idiot!
Get out of here!
Get out of here, Beau.
Let me deal
with this shit. Go!
MALE ANNOUNCER:
I'd like y'all to give
a nice, big, warm Houston
round of applause
for the former
Miss Dallas herself...
Baby, you got to
come out of there.
...the lovely and
talented Chiles Stanton.
(SINGING WORDS I COULDN"T SAY)
Those people think
I killed our baby, James.
Why would anybody
think that?
Every time I think
you're close to forgetting,
something happens
that brings it back up.
Well, I'm not going
to forget about Dallas.
It's not something
you just forget about.
What if we tried again?
I bet you
I could still get pregnant.
Kelly, listen to me.
You got a lot of people
waiting out there.
Let's just get this over with
and then we can go back
to the hotel, okay?
All right? Then we'll
get some fish and chips.
We'll get in the hot tub.
It'll be just me and you.
You don't want to leave
your fans waiting.
So, let's just
get out of here. . .
It's never been
just me and you.
Let's just get
out of here, baby.
No.
Get out of
the closet, Kelly.
Don't!
Get out of the closet.
Don't!
(GRUNTS)
Oh, my God.
I'm so sorry.
James. James.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to do that.
I'll do whatever
you want, okay? Okay?
All right.
Will you remember me
like I was?
Yeah.
Go on stage,
give them hell.
Will you give me a kiss?
(CONTINUES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
Careful of the step.
That's good.
I got it. I got it.
The first song,
Country Strong, right?
Yes.
Are you all right?
(CONTINUES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
the star of tonight's show,
six-time Grammy winner,
the beIIe of BristoI,
our very own Kelly Canter.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING COUNTRY STRONG)
Hold on one second.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Sorry. I just...
Thank you so much.
Oh...
You just cannot understand
what this means to me.
Thank you.
MAN: We love you !
I was just
in my dressing room,
and I was looking out
the window,
and I was looking up
at the big, bright sky,
and there are so many stars.
And I thought,
"Man, it Iooks Iike
they would take
such good care of you."
Do you know what I mean?
Come on, baby, come on.
Don't do this.
I never Iived on a star,
but it sure looks like fun.
Hey, what did y'all
think of Beau?
Wasn't he great?
Let's go.
Come on, come on, play!
Come on, baby,
come on. Sing !
Oh, y'all want me to sing?
Oh.
I am going to sing, okay?
I just...
I just feeI like
I need to sit down.
Would that be okay?
Can I just sit
down and just rest?
And I am going to sing.
MAN 1 : Love you !
MAN 2: All right, Kelly!
I'm going to sing.
Let's sing A Fighter, okay?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING)
Sing.
Sing, Kelly.
Sing, baby.
(INAUDIBLE)
We're never going to
make it to Dallas!
The whole show's
going to get cancelled !
Would you just relax?
Hey, where the hell
were you?
Where the hell were you
when she had
a bottle of vodka
in her dressing room?
I was on stage!
You were on stage?
Jesus Christ,
don't you have
any tricks up your sleeve?
Yeah, don't take
somebody out of rehab
before the rehab!
Who the hell
do you think
you are, kid?
(CROWD SCREAMING)
WOMAN: Will you sign this?
RICHARD: People are
ready to forgive you,
but you have to give them
something they want.
I've scheduled
an emergency
press conference
and a Make A Wish
appearance in Austin.
The kid's name is. . .
Travis.
Travis.
And he has. . .
Leukaemia.
Leukaemia.
Let's go, people.
It's time to do
some clean-up here.
(SIGHS)
JAMES: Thanks, JJ.
We'll make it up
to you next week.
She better put on
a real pretty face.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Shit. Come on, man.
You know
we're all fools
in this business.
(SEA OF HEARTBREAK PLAYING)
What are you looking at?
(SIGHS)
No one's ever going
to buy food poisoning.
She's a total basket case.
Why don't you be quiet
and tell me what
you're looking at?
Don't.
"When did General MacArthur
return to the Philippines?"
1 946.
"What does 'amorous' mean?"
Having a propensity
for falling in love.
What the hell
are these things?
Well, as a woman
in this industry,
people have a habit
of thinking I'm some
kind of ignoramus.
And my pageant training
doesn't exactly
help things,
so I have to
overcompensate.
You're not the only one
who thinks I'm just
some dumb beauty queen.
I'd never call you
a dumb beauty queen.
Give me those.
I'm serious.
Anybody that says
"ignoramus" so casually,
that's not dumb at all.
(GROANS)
Why don't y'all
just sleep together?
Get it over with.
Jesus. Really.
KELLY: I feeI great.
I feel better than I have
in a long time,
aside from the food
poisoning incident.
Note to self:
never trust a sushi bar
that's open 24 hours a day.
(ALL LAUGHING)
But all that's behind me now.
And I just want to say,
I'm really looking forward to
playing for my fans
here in Austin.
What about Dallas?
Dallas?
Yeah, your last date
will be broadcast
in Dallas, correct?
Yes.
We all know that
Dallas and I have a history,
and it's not such a good one.
So I'm really looking forward
to changing that.
Thank you.
FEMALE REPORTER: Kelly!
Kelly! Kelly!
Is this on? Ooh!
I guess so. I'm sorry.
My parents are
school teachers.
I'm not used to running
in such fancy circles.
Chiles!
Chiles!
Yes?
Chiles, who is your idol?
I'm on tour
with her right now.
And Jesus Christ, of course.
Kelly Canter
and Jesus Christ.
(ALL LAUGHING)
You and Jesus Christ.
Who would have thought?
They love her.
BEAU: Yeah, I guess.
What do you think of her?
I don't.
You're not
a very good liar, Beau.
Hey, are we still
going to hang out today, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah?
So, what do you
suppose we do?
Steal a car,
do some skinny-dipping,
shave our heads?
Hey, come on.
Let's get out of here
and have some fun.
Come on.
Okay.
(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)
(KELLY AND BEAU WHOOPING)
Well, what do you think?
I think I'm Kelly Canter
and I'm breaking the law!
(BOTH WHOOPING)
Give me more!
Yeah ! Come on !
Get it out there!
Give me more!
Yeah ! I got six Grammys
and seven platinum records!
(WHOOPING)
And everybody knows
who I am !
And? Come on, what else?
And I have
the best damn marriage
in the world of country music!
(INAUDIBLE)
(CHILES SINGING
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY)
BOB: Yeah,
she's good, James.
Let's talk about
the Freedom Tour.
She might be
a good addition.
JAMES: You better hurry.
How about this week?
All right.
Look, I was sorry
to hear about Kelly.
We were all praying for her.
Thank you, Bob,
but she's doing just fine.
She's looking forward
to the next show.
She also loves
the tracks
you sent over.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah. Especially
Coming Home.
She thinks that could be
her next single.
Hmm.
She'd sing the hell
out of it, Bob.
The little girl
right there is the one
to sing that song.
I'll talk to you later.
What?
Maybe we should stop this.
You're married,
Kelly, you know?
Well, I've always
been married.
Yeah, but just after today,
I've been thinking that
maybe I'm just not
the best thing
for you in your life.
I want to be, but. . .
I'm just
trying to do
what's best for you.
Since when?
(SIGHS)
I think the world
of you, Beau.
But sometimes you don't have
the faintest idea of
how to talk to women.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Hey.
Do you want to hang out?
No, not really.
All right.
I just wanted to show you
my lyrics. That's all.
Where have you been?
I was with Beau.
Why do you have a towel on?
We were out
and I got so dirty
I needed to take a shower.
Well, that sounds like fun.
It was.
Can I help you
do that?
Nope, I got it.
Are you going to
let me in or what?
Do you write
all your own lyrics?
What is this,
Twenty Questions?
How come you haven't got
the chorus wrote down yet?
Because I haven't
come up with it yet.
I could write it for you.
This ain't
Mad Libs, Chiles.
You can't just
fill in a blank with
a noun America loves.
Well, I could write
good lyrics
if I wanted to.
Maybe I just
haven't been inspired
by anyone yet.
You ever think
about that?
I don't need to be
singing about
my Achy Breaky Heart.
Give In To Me?
That's what it's called?
I like that title.
Good. Then don't mess it up.
Oh, my God !
The Miss America
Pageant's on.
Oh, I'm just dying for
Miss Oklahoma to win.
She's got the best figure,
and she does
the prettiest ribbon routine.
I think I need a drink.
Do you want one?
Just a tiny one.
How would I
change the world
if I won this crown?
(LAUGHING)
I would start by
putting country music
on all US outbound flights.
Then I'd change
the national anthem
to Merle Haggard's
Mama Tried.
This is how you win
a beauty pageant.
Oh, let's see.
(CHILES CLEARING THROAT)
"Thank you,
ladies and gentlemen,
distinguished judges."
That's such bullshit.
(CHILES LAUGHING)
And then I give them
one of my seven smiles.
Yeah, let's see them.
Well, I got swimsuit.
And then interview.
I like that one.
I got my formal wear.
Which one's your
drunk-off-my-ass smile?
I think you're drunk.
You know,
I think we should have
a swimsuit competition.
I don't have a swimsuit.
Well, you're wearing
a bra and panties,
aren't you?
Yeah.
Yeah, it's the same thing.
Yeah, I'm doing it.
Here we go.
You versus me.
Beau, what are you doing?
Don't be a chickenshit
about this, Chiles.
I've seen plenty of ladies
in their swimsuits before.
I'll get into mine
just so we're even.
Your turn.
All right.
But no pictures.
I may go on to be
Miss America one day.
So, what do we do now?
Build a sandcastle
or something?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Oh, my God.
That must be James.
What the hell's he
doing here?
Put your pants on.
Well, it's not like
you have to answer it
or anything.
You know I do.
Put your pants on. Hurry.
Hi, James.
Hey.
I was just showing Beau
my pageant walk.
And he was leaving.
Right, Beau?
You were just leaving?
Yeah.
Well, that's something
I'd like to see.
Is that guyliner?
(CHUCKLES)
That's real cute, Beau.
The Statesman's
calling you the next
Carrie Underwood.
Really?
Yes.
You're on their
"Top Ten Country
Artists to Watch" list.
Was Beau on the list?
Yes.
"The next Townes Van Zandt."
Who's that?
He was a singer-songwriter.
Was he famous?
In some circles,
but not nearly as famous
as Carrie Underwood.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
How did you know?
How did you know
I had it in me?
I just took one look
at you, darling. I mean,
you might as well be
holding up a stop sign.
Most people just
pass right through.
Yeah, well,
they'll regret it.
I promise you that.
Well, you just
got to figure out
another pickup line.
Hi, Beau.
Did you have
a good time last night?
Yeah. Sure.
Yeah, that's good.
I finished your lyrics
for you. There they are.
God, how did you ever
find the time?
You be quiet,
Beau Hutton.
(CHUCKLES)
Chiles, me and the guys here,
we were talking
about that year
MacArthur returned
back to the Philippines.
Just none of us could
think of when that was.
When was that?
Are you making
fun of me, Beau?
Well, I don't know.
Let me check my flash card.
Yes, I am.
You're an asshole, man.
(SINGS LINE OF A COUNTRY SONG)
What are you doing here?
You're not
supposed to be here.
Yeah, well, I just
looked for the biggest
shit-hole bar in town
and there you were, Beau.
You're not that hard
to figure out.
I thought you didn't want
anything else to do with me.
I'm waving a white flag.
I got a surprise for you.
Come on, Winnie's
waiting for us out front.
Come on !
Seriously?
Yeah. You gotta to
learn your way around
a recording studio.
After Dallas,
your fans are going to
want to buy something.
(CHILES SINGING COMING HOME)
What's going on?
What are you
doing here, Kelly?
That's my song.
I know you liked
the song, baby,
but Bob sent
some other songs over
that were much better,
much more
appropriate for you.
I liked them a lot.
This song, it was too,
I don't know what.
It was just too. . .
Too what?
Too good? Too young? What?
It wasn't right for you.
(SCOFFS)
I get it.
You can't expect to be
the toast of the town
after the way you've acted.
Oh, believe me,
you've made it
perfectly clear
that I'm not the toast
of anyone's town.
Kelly, listen.
Get off of me!
(CHILES CONTINUES SINGING)
(CRYING)
Hey.
Leave me alone, James.
Kell, I got somebody out here
who wants to see you, okay?
Who?
Look here.
She's been asking
for you all day.
Loretta Lynn.
I'm busy, you know,
today, and. . .
I thought you could
take her back
to the hotel with you,
take care of her.
You're just trying to
make me feel better.
I got to run over
to Stanley's this afternoon
and I can't take her with me.
They won't allow it.
You know? So. . .
It would help.
Oh, my God, James.
She's so tiny.
Yeah, she is, isn't she?
She gets hungry really fast.
So, you should
probably come on out.
Okay.
All right.
You must not think
I'm much of a man.
I never said that.
I don't always
dance for her, you know?
I know.
She used to be
tough as nails.
What happened to her?
I don't know.
She had a fire in her.
The only place
she wanted to be
was on stage.
That was it.
I don't know
when she got
so goddamn fragile.
Maybe she's done.
No. No, I can't let her
go out like this.
Then, let's just
stop her right now.
Before it gets any worse.
No. No.
Just turn the bus around
and put her back in rehab.
It might get better.
She can get stronger.
You and I both know
she's not getting any better.
You're just talking
like her sponsor.
(SIGHS)
You and I both know
I was never her sponsor.
Where's Kell?
She told me she was
going to pick you up.
(SINGING KEEP ON SMILIN')
(ALL CHEERING)
MAN: Shake it, girl !
Kelly, come on.
Come on, time to go.
Beau ! Beau !
Get down.
Hey! Just give her
a break, guys.
MAN: We're just having
a good time with her.
KELLY: Stop it!
BEAU: Just listen to me.
How dare you do that to me?
I don't give a shit!
Can you get down
here now, Chiles?
It's Miss Kitty's
on 38th 1 /2.
How dare you?
Those people are my friends!
Because
I need your help.
Come in here
and pull me out of a bar.
I don't care.
Just take a cab
and pull around back.
Who do you think you are?
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(GROANS)
You're just somebody's
daughter, aren't you?
Yes, I guess I am.
Whose daughter are you?
Her name is Sandy.
I'm Sandy's daughter.
She must have done
a real number on you.
Yes, ma'am, she did.
Don't call me "ma'am."
Sorry.
I always wanted a daughter.
You did?
I will, one day.
I'm going to have
a daughter and treat her
just like fine china.
I'll tell her
how smart she is.
And I'm going to
let her drive
whenever she wants.
And I'll let her
get her ears pierced.
I will.
I got my ears pierced
when I was six.
I had my eye on these
beautiful diamond stars.
I told myself
they were diamonds,
but I'm pretty sure
they were just CZs.
My mom said I had to get
the starting-out earrings
and those were just
boring old gold balls.
You know,
just the real plain ones.
She said I could
change them out
if I was responsible enough
to clean them,
but she never let me.
Well, they sound
real pretty.
Yeah, they were
real pretty.
I think you can have
one hell of a career
if you want one.
I want one.
I know you do.
Be nice to Beau, okay?
He thinks
he's so tough.
But I ain't ever
had a man be
so gentle with me.
He's one of
the good ones.
He's one of
the only good ones.
Does this mean
we're friends?
No, sweetheart.
It don't mean a thing.
AUDIENCE: (CHANTING)
Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!
Where in the hell
have y'all been?
(VOMITING)
Hey! Hey!
Get a hold of yourself!
Come on ! Get it together!
Let her alone, James.
She's sick.
JJ, she's fine.
She's a little
under the weather.
She's done. We're done.
The sponsor's been pulled.
The show is over.
JJ, look.
You can fix this.
You know them well.
They trust you.
We go back a long way.
I just lost
a quarter of a million
in return tickets.
I'm probably not
the person you want to ask.
JJ, come on.
It's not all about money!
I cannot believe
we fell for this shit again.
We got to have Dallas.
She's done.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
How y'all doing tonight?
Thank you
very much for waiting.
I have a special
surprise for you.
It's a new song,
and I'm going to need
my friend, Chiles Stanton,
to come out
and sing this with me.
No.
She's a very
talented songwriter
and this is her song.
Will you please
welcome to the stage,
Miss Chiles Stanton.
Come on.
What the hell are you doing?
Hi, everybody.
This is our first time
singing it,
so please be kind to us.
(SINGING GIVE IN TO ME)
I have sources
that say alcohol
was involved.
I don't know
anything about that.
Thousands of people paid
their hard-earned money
to see Kelly
perform tonight,
and they're walking
away disappointed.
What do you say to that?
I'd say I expect
a little more loyalty.
Kelly?
Get out of here, Beau.
Get the hell out, kid !
What the hell did you say?
She's not your wife!
Yeah, she ain't yours,
either!
Get the hell out of here,
you goddamn asshole!
Do you feel tough now?
Get dressed, Kelly.
You're the only one
that's good enough
for me, is that it?
No, but I'm a hell of
a lot better
than that asshole.
You're no better
than him at all.
Do you think he gives
a shit about you?
Do you think
you give a shit about me?
Knocking on my door
every goddamn day!
If you gave a shit
about me,
you would have left me alone
in the first place!
I'm here for you
and you're just
too dumb to realise it.
You just want
what you can get.
Give me the bottle, Kelly.
Give it to me!
No more.
Give it to me!
Give it!
(CRYING)
Why did you do that?
I'm tired.
Come on,
let's get you to bed.
(GROANING)
I'm sorry.
(STEAL YOU AWAY PLAYING)
PBR.
Dallas is going to be
cancelled, isn't it?
She's crazy.
She's not crazy.
She's the only
honest one here.
Why are you here, Chiles?
I don't know.
I'm tired.
Wait!
Wait, what?
Do you want to come in?
Stop it.
Fine.
Wait! Don't. . .
Don't make me say it.
Say what?
You're being
very rude right now.
Tell me what you want.
Nothing.
(SINGING GIVE IN TO ME)
Where are you going?
They found Loretta Lynn's
box at the bar.
They were going to
throw her out
with the garbage.
I'm going to give her
to somebody who can
take care of her.
I thought we had that
Make A Wish thing
today at noon.
It doesn't matter any more.
You don't have to do it.
Hey, I talked to JJ.
He's going to
let us have Dallas.
I can't imagine why.
What if I told you
I was never Miss Dallas?
I'd probably
like you even more.
Were you?
I almost was.
What happened?
I choked.
Like always.
They asked me
what my stance
on global warming was,
and all I could think of
was a planet in a big,
old sweater
my grandma used to make me.
I'm sure that would have
kept the whole world
nice and warm.
Do you stilI like me?
I stilI like you.
I'm serious, Beau.
I stilI like you.
But I'm not what I seem.
Well, maybe that's
what I like about you.
Did you ever
think of that?
No.
Maybe that's what
makes you different
from all those other
pretty pennies out there.
It's just going to be
a few minutes
of your time,
okay, Mrs Canter?
Just take a couple
of photos with the boy
and we'll have you
on your way.
Okay.
It's right down here.
Do you need a coffee?
No, I'm fine.
Thank you.
Hi.
Thank you so much
for coming.
It just means
the world to us.
It's my pleasure.
Thank you. Which one is. . .
Is that Travis there?
He's right over there.
Okay.
Hi.
Hi.
Are you Travis?
Yes.
Do you mind if I sit down?
No.
Okay.
Hi.
Is this your class?
Yes.
Do you have
any fun in here?
Yes.
You do?
That's good.
Thanks for inviting me.
You're welcome.
Tell her how much
you love her music, Travis.
Are you going to play
a song for me?
What? Am I going to play
a song for you?
No, you don't have to.
Oh, yes, I am.
I am. That's why
I brought my guys.
Come on in, guys.
There's just one little thing
which is,
I wrote this new song,
and I'm not sure
if it's any good,
so I was. . .
Thanks.
I was hoping that
I could play it for you
and you tell me
what you think, okay?
Okay.
It's called Travis.
And it goes like this.
(SINGING TRA VIS,
CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE?)
What did you think?
Is it over?
Travis. I'm sorry.
Is it. . . No. Uh-uh.
No, it's not, is it?
No. Uh-uh.
We got a whole other part.
Don't we, guys?
And it goes like. . .
(RESUMES SINGING)
What do you say?
Would you dance
with me for real?
You would?
Oh, my gosh.
Come on, boys,
bring it home.
This is my lucky day.
Oh, my gosh. Okay.
Show me what you got.
(KELLY LAUGHING)
Come on, guys!
Are you going
to dance with us?
(WHOOPING)
Let's see your moves
on the floor now.
Oh, yeah.
I like those moves.
(WHOOPS)
Okay, bring it home for me.
Yeah.
(SIGHS)
(FLY AGAIN PLAYING)
I'm Nick Beres reporting live
outside the downtown arena
where country music
superstar Kelly Canter
is set to arrive any moment.
Mrs Canter came down
with food poisoning
in Houston.
She didn't show up
in Austin.
But her fans here
have not given up hope.
(ALL CHEERING)
FEMALE REPORTER:
Almost a year ago today,
Kelly Canter performed
at this very same arena
in what became
the most talked about
performance of the year.
Mrs Canter,
who was five months pregnant,
tripped over a microphone cord
and fell 1 0 feet off
the edge of the stage.
She had a blood-alcohol level
of . 1 9 at the time.
She's hit rock bottom.
And sometimes
you have to hit rock bottom
to realise what you had.
And I think she's
going to come back.
Better than ever.
(CROWD CHEERING)
MALE REPORTER:
I was here last year when
it all fell apart for Kelly.
I mean,
how many chances
can someone get?
FEMALE REPORTER:
I don't know.
Let's ask the fans out there.
What do you think?
Are you ready to hear
Kelly's big encore?
You can't afford these.
Don't worry about that.
I can't take these.
Put them on.
No.
Put them on.
I want to see them on.
Better than gold balls?
Yeah.
I'm leaving
after the show,
heading to California.
Why?
There's an opportunity
for me out there.
A friend of a friend
has got a ranch on the beach
and needs somebody
to help him out.
Somebody like you.
And you.
What about our music?
That's the best part.
There's this bar right
in the centre of town
that just lost
its Saturday night lineup,
and I know it's not
a 1 0-city tour or anything,
but it's a bunch of
hard-working people
that like to listen
to good music
while they drink their beer.
I just figured maybe
we could write
during the day,
see if we come up
with anything,
enough to write an album.
I already have enough songs
to make an album.
If you want to sing
those country pop songs,
you go right ahead.
But you're better
than that, Chiles.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are. I swear it.
Just because they might
put them on the radio
it doesn't mean
they're worth a damn.
(SIGHS) I've never seen
the beach before.
So come with me.
Okay.
You will?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
We're ready for you, Beau.
All right.
Okay.
Beau.
What if you gave me
a little time
to think about it?
(SIGHS)
You take
all the time you need.
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Good evening, Dallas.
Welcome to the Kelly
Canter Encore Tour.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Now, to start things off,
let's hear it for the man
you fell in love with
back in NashviIIe,
Beau Hutton!
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
WOMAN: I love you, Beau !
I'd like to dedicate
this first song
to Kelly Canter.
She's the reason I'm here.
She's a true talent.
This one's not
on the set Iist,
but that doesn't mean
it isn't pretty.
This one's for you, Kelly.
(SINGING
HIDE ME BABE)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Pretty.
Thank you.
You got a pen and paper?
Yeah, sure.
I've been thinking
of some things
that I want to tell you.
Okay.
Don't ever wear satin
on stage 'cause
it wrinkles like anything,
and your sweat will show
right through it,
I don't care
how pretty the dress is.
Always travel
with your costumes
and if anything
ever needs mending,
send it to Arturo
in Beverly Hills.
He's the best.
Don't take laxatives ever
because they never work
the way you want them to.
Don't drink anything
carbonated on a show day.
Okay? It'll make you bloat.
Wear high heels
everywhere you go.
And when it comes to
writing your own songs,
don't get too concerned
about it, all right?
Your motto should
always be,
"The best song wins."
And don't be afraid
to fall in love.
It's the only thing
that matters in life.
The only thing.
Do you understand
what I'm telling you?
Yeah.
You just fall in love
with as many things
as possible.
You're going to
have to find a way
to tell people
about your parents
'cause they're not
school teachers, are they?
Have either one of them
been in prison
for anything violent?
Yeah.
Are they out?
My mom is.
Well, you got to work
with a publicist
and decide the best way
to get it out.
You never want to hide
anything from your fans.
It's just not worth it.
Okay?
Okay.
How did you know?
I just had a feeling.
(SINGING
TURN LOOSE THE HORSES)
Thank you very much.
We got somebody special
coming up.
I want you to give
a warm welcome
to Miss Chiles Stanton.
Wow. That is a welcome
dreams are made of.
Thank y'all so much.
Mr Beau Hutton, everyone.
Isn't he the best?
(SINGING
A LITTLE BIT STRONGER)
(SIGHS)
Hey. Thanks for the song.
You might have been
the only one that liked it.
Oh, come on, now.
I guess they're not buying
the bad shrimp.
Yeah, I guess not.
Do you think I'm crazy?
No.
I just don't think
love and fame can live
in the same place.
I loved that baby, too, Beau.
I was sadder than anybody
when I lost it.
I can't change my past.
You know?
I can't change
how much I drank.
I'm stronger than all this.
You know that, right?
I know.
I'm going to give them
one hell of a show.
I thought you would.
Come here.
(SINGING
A LITTLE BIT STRONGER)
(ALL CHEERING)
You got a full house
out there.
I heard.
I've never loved anybody
like I loved you.
You know that, right?
Let's just get through
tonight, okay?
Hey, Dove.
Give them hell tonight, okay?
(INAUDIBLE)
(AUDIENCE CHANTING)
MALE ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
let's welcome back to Dallas
the lady you've been
waiting to see,
the beIIe of BristoI,
six-time Grammy winner,
country superstar
Kelly Canter.
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
(SINGING COUNTRY STRONG)
(SINGING SHAKE THAT THING)
Yeah !
(ALL CHANTING)
(SINGING COMING HOME)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
That's how it's done,
sweetheart.
(EXHALES)
Okay?
(CROWD CHEERING)
(INAUDIBLE)
WINNIE: Okay, we got
The Chronicle here.
They want pictures.
Chiles, you, too.
FEMALE REPORTER:
Earlier tonight,
this stadium pulsed
with excitement
over an incredible
performance
by country superstar
Kelly Canter.
But it still begs
the inevitable question,
"How long
will her sobriety last?"
(ALL CHEERING)
MAN: Fill it up! Let's go!
James.
Yeah.
Hi. What can we expect
next from Kelly?
Well, more songs,
more shows,
and a hell of a lot more
of what we saw tonight.
FEMALE REPORTER 1 :
Beau, look this way!
FEMALE REPORTER 2:
Beau, right here!
Well done, James.
It looks like
Kelly's going to
get her encore after all.
Well, now,
we couldn't have done it
without you, could we?
Thanks, man.
I'll see you in Nashville.
We'll talk about
some more dates.
Yeah, JJ. All right.
Yeah, thanks.
Who needs a drink?
MAN: Right here.
One for me, one for you.
Next week,
I'm recording my new single,
and hopefully continuing
on this amazing tour.
Hey, Beau.
Where's Kell?
Jesse Clark
of Country FM.
She's just
cleaning up a bit.
She'll be back out.
Great set.
How does it feel to have your
career change overnight?
(KNOCKING)
Kell? Kell. . .
(JIGGLING DOORKNOB)
(POUNDING)
Kell? Kell. Kelly!
Kelly. Hey, Kelly.
What did you take?
Kelly, how many
did you take? Kelly!
Come on, wake up. Wake up.
How many did you take, Kelly?
(SIRENS WAILING)
(TIMING IS EVERYTHING PLAYING)
(INAUDIBLE)
KELLY: Dear Beau.
You once told me
that love and fame
can't live in the same place.
If that is true,
there's only one choice to make,
especially for someone
as gentle and loving as you.
I don't regret
a single moment
we spent together.
You filled my last days
with true happiness.
So choose love.
Take off and don't look back.
Because there is no one
more worthy of love than you.
Waylon said it best
when he sang to Willie.
"If you see me
getting smaller,
"I'm leaving,
don't be grieving.
"I just got to
get away from here.
"If you see me
getting smaller,
don't worry, I'm in no hurry.
"I've got the right
to disappear."
(BEAU SINGING
TIMING IS EVERYTHING)
Thank you.
Thank you all for
coming out tonight
on a Saturday night.
You've been real kind.
MAN: Play another one, Beau.
All right, then.
This one's called
Chances Are.
Well, goddamn.
I'd like to bring
a friend on stage,
a wonderful songwriter
I met in Nashville.
She just so happens
to be here tonight.
Will you welcome to the stage
Miss Chiles Stanton.
And this one's called
Give In To Me.
(PLAYING GUITAR)
(SINGING)
(ME AND TENNESSEE PLAYING)
(TIMING IS EVERYTHING PLAYING)