Chely Wright, who was born in 1970, seems a little young to have inspired her own profile, but then again she's the only prominent Nashville entertainer to come out as gay. Wright believes in God, country, and family; she's just not heterosexual, and doesn't see why these things should be mutually exclusive. In their touching, yet clear-eyed documentary, co-directors Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf track the carefully orchestrated three-year process by which Wright came out to fans and to the wider public, alternating between video-diary footage and professionally-shot material. Wright's divorced parents speak about her lifelong love of country music, while her sister believes Chely fulfilled a dream that wasn't possible for their more introverted mother (whom ex-husband Stan describes as "cold and unloving"). Wright's impoverished childhood could have been happier, but her music career thrived, and she signed to a major label in the 1990s. Although she tried to pray her orientation away, this only caused further unhappiness. In her 20s, Wright fell in love with a woman, but kept the relationship secret. Later, she dated Brad Paisley, but couldn't return his affection. An emotional collapse finally inspired her to come out to producer Rodney Crowell and select family members, after which she moved to New York to work on a biography that detailed her secrecy, thoughts of suicide, and eventual breakthrough. DVD extras include a featurette and photo gallery. A solid personal profile of a singer who is also expanding the horizons of country music, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away
(2011) 96 min. DVD: $27.95. First Run Features (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 28, Issue 1
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away
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