Look, we love Willie Nelson, and we love Pure Country. The 1992 acting debut of George Strait didn't win the critics, but it sure won over country fans. But that doesn't mean you need to put Willie in a Pure Country movie.
And yet, here we are.
Willie Nelson appears (though certainly doesn't star) in a new "installment" of the Pure Country franchise. This third movie, called Pure Country: Pure Heart, follows two young girls chasing a music dream to Nashville.
But seriously, don't get too excited. This movie seems similar to the 2010 sequel called Pure Country: The Gift. Except this one doesn't even feature George Strait in a cameo role. Original director Christopher Cain didn't touch the project. And as best we can tell, songwriter Steve Dorff didn't contribute to the music.
Really, all it has in common is the name.
In the film, two sisters leave home to find out more about their father, a marine who died in the Iraq war. The pair travels to Nashville, only to discover their dad actually wanted to be a songwriter. Just like them! And then they get into a doozy of an emotional adventure.
READ MORE: Can You Guess These George Strait Songs?
This third installment stars Laura Bell Bundy (who stars in the Legally Blonde broadway production). Also joining Bundy include Kaitlyn Bausch and Cozi Zuehlsdorff. All three clearly have musical talent. But it's probably not enough to save the movie.
PopSugar recently shared an article with the trailer for the movie. Head there to check it out and judge for yourself. They seem a little more optimistic about the movie than we are.
All we see of Nelson in the trailer is a brief cameo with him walking on stage. But the film still gives him top billing (or only billing, rather) on the cover. The movie premieres at Stagecoach Festival this week, and will be available on DVD starting August 1.
Also, it features 16 original songs, which could be good — you never know!