Pure Country (2002)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(19,180 ratings)

The big-screen debut of country singer George Strait is a familiar tale of a star returning to his roots, a route traveled the same year by John Mellencamp in Falling From Grace (1992). Strait plays Dusty Chandler, one of the hottest performers in country music. Dusty feels that his elaborate stage… More The big-screen debut of country singer George Strait is a familiar tale of a star returning to his roots, a route traveled the same year by John Mellencamp in Falling From Grace (1992). Strait plays Dusty Chandler, one of the hottest performers in country music. Dusty feels that his elaborate stage show is overwhelming his music, a suspicion confirmed one night when he forgets several bars of a chart-topping hit and his fans don't even notice. Disillusioned, Dusty tells his manager Lula (Lesley Ann Warren) and best buddy Earl (John Doe) that he's taking a break. After shaving his beard and cutting off his ponytail, Dusty heads for the small farm town where he grew up, visiting his wise old grandmother (Molly McClure) and ending up at the ranch of the Tucker family, where nobody recognizes him. He becomes a hired hand, earning the respect of owner Ernest (Rory Calhoun) and falling in love with Ernest's daughter Harley (Isabel Glasser), a woman determined to save the struggling spread with victory in a Las Vegas rodeo. When Dusty learns that Lula has secretly replaced him onstage with her boyfriend (Kyle Chandler), he stages a showdown that wins Harley's affections. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Christopher Cain
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: May 26, 1998
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The romantic subplot between Strait and Glasser's respective characters goes a long way towards perpetuating the movie's affable atmosphere...

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

This is a great movie to say the least. It's the best biographical movie that I've ever seen, and one of the best period. It tells the story of the best country singer, George Strait. George Strait is a great actor in this movie. Yes, you'll actually see him get upset… More
This is a great movie to say the least. It's the best biographical movie that I've ever seen, and one of the best period. It tells the story of the best country singer, George Strait. George Strait is a great actor in this movie. Yes, you'll actually see him get upset for once while he acts out the highs and lows of his career in this movie. This movie made me respect George Strait more for what he had to go through to become the superstar that he is and there couldn't be a better ending to a great movie. Along with the great music that you'll hear in this movie, this is one of the top ten movies of all time in my opinion. If you're a George Strait fan or even if you're not, this is a GREAT movie and deserves to be ordered by anyone. NOTE: This was my Amazon review from the year 2000. I've seen this film several times since then and still love it, not only because I'm a big George Strait music fan, but it's a great movie to watch in itself, and even non-country music fans should watch!
danny d

fantastic, geaorge strait should act more
Leo L

A favorite.
Moe E

The wife is a HUGE George Strait fan, but I must admit that...I don't get it. This movie didn't help me, either.

Cast

            George Strait as Dusty Wyatt Chandler

            Lesley Ann Warren as Lula Rogers

            Isabel Glasser as Harley Tucker

            Kyle Chandler as Buddy Jackson

            John Doe as Earl Blackstock

            Rory Calhoun as Ernest Tucker

            Molly McClure as Grandma Ivy Chandler

            David Anthony as Dusty's Band

            Tom Christopher as Dave-Dusty's Bodyguard

            Gene Elders as Dusty's Band

            Fred Ellis as Private Detective

            Fred Fontana as Courier

            Jeffrey R. Fontana as Eddie-Dusty's Bodyguard

            Gil Glasgow as Bartender

            Terry Hale as Dusty's Band

            Loretta Holloway as Reporter

            Rondel Huckaby as Dusty's Band

            Julie Johnson as Waitress

            Mike A. Kennedy as Dusty's Band

            Roy Kieffer as Reporter

            Benny McArthur as Dusty's Band

            James Terry McIlvain as Tim Tucker

            Rick McRae as Dusty's Band

            Toby Metcalf as J.W. Tucker

            Kristen Michaels as Hostess

            Evelyn Purtak as Assistant

            Eric Randall as Reporter

            Bob Tallman as Rodeo Announcer

            Sharon Thomas as Monique James

            Mark Walters as Al

            Jeff Prettyman as Bobby Louis

            Sharon Howard-Field
            
            Terry McIlvain
            
See full cast