Watch Coal Miner's Daughter For Free

Don't Believe the Hype

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

After recently watching "Walk The Line", I was recommended "Coal Miner's Daughter" by a family member. While it isn't a bad movie by any means, I felt that it lacked the energy need to truly be a great film.For a basic plot summary, the movie focuses on the life of Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek), who goes from dirt-poor in a mining town to arguably country music's greatest female superstar. Along the way, she meets and marries Doolittle (Tommy Lee Jones), as well as forms a relationship with fellow singer Patsy Cline (Beverly D'Angelo).Like I said, the main problem with "Coal Miner's Daughter" is that it lacks the kind of pulsating energy that I find define my favorite biopics ("Walk the Line" & "Ray" come immediately to mind). I know that the movie is supposed to accurately depict reality, but his IS Hollywood, and thus some drama is needed to keep it from being a documentary. That drama was missing from most of the film.There are two things that I really did like about the film:1. Spacek & Jones act their parts tremendously and have great chemistry on screen. They are a joy to watch.2. Roughly the first half of the movie (depicting life in a mining community) is excellent. It is a very compelling portrayal of the type of culture Loretta came from, as well as how her relationship with "Dool" began.Sadly, once Loretta and Dool move to Nashville in search of a record deal, the film really slows down...almost to a screeching halt at some points. It's almost like the title indicates: the filmmakers knew how to do a great "coal miner's daughter" setting, but once Loretta actually becomes a country star, things really get stale.Overall, "Coal Miner's Daughter" is a decent biopic piece that has since been both exceeded and overshadowed by other films of its same ilk. Unless you really have an interest in this specific story, or you really like classic country music, you might struggle with this one a bit too.

Sissy Spacek won a well deserved Academy Award for her immensely appealing performance as country music legend Loretta Lynn, in this likable and satisfying biopic. Loretta is all of 13 in the post WWII years when outgoing Doolittle "Mooney" Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones) begins courting her. Soon, she's settled into a life of domesticity, where it seems that she might stay, but Mooney recognizes that she has a gift for music and buys her an acoustic guitar for an anniversary present. Then it's only time before her talents start earning her success in a tough and busy field.It's true that the second half does gloss over some of the "down side" details, but for the most part this is a respectable movie treatment of Lorettas' life. It benefits from the straightforward approach of British director Michael Apted, capable storytelling, fine use of locations (and thus, plenty of flavorful atmosphere), lots of great music, and, most of all, the excellent performances by a well chosen cast. Sissy is radiant and just wonderful, and did her own singing, to boot. Co-star Beverly D'Angelo likewise did her own singing for her performance as another music legend, Patsy Cline. Jones is superb playing a character whom you think at first might turn out to be a real heel, but Mooney does genuinely love Loretta, and he never doubts that Loretta is destined for big things. Levon Helm, drummer and singer for rock group The Band, makes his acting debut as Lorettas' coal miner father, and he also feels completely authentic. Making an impact in smaller roles are character actors like William Sanderson, Bob Elkins, and Bob Hannah. Entertainers Ernest Tubb, Merle Kilgore, Roy Acuff, and Minnie Pearl make cameo appearances.Scripted by Tom Rickman, from the autobiography that Loretta wrote with George Vecsey, "Coal Miner's Daughter" is a solid example of Americana, and remains compelling due to having a main character for whom one can easily root.Eight out of 10.

Fantastic biographical film about the rise to stardom of country western legend Loretta Lynn.The film is saved from the usual biopic doldrums by its focus on the gender dynamics between Lynn and her long-time husband/manager, played wonderfully in the film by Tommy Lee Jones. In its way, it becomes a rather feminist film and explores the dilemma women are still dealing with today when they try to balance a family with a career and are made to feel like they have no good choices. I don't particularly care about or like country western music, and I'm usually bored to death by the mere idea of a biopic, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film.A huge part of my enjoyment was due to Sissy Spacek, who deservedly won an Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn (and did her own singing, thank you very much). Beverly D'Angelo is also very good in a smaller role as Lynn's friend and fellow country western singer, Patsy Cline.In addition to Spacek's Oscar, the film was nominated in six other categories: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. 1980 was the year "Ordinary People" took home the best picture Oscar, and while I liked "Coal Miner's Daughter" very much, I think they made the right choice. I even think, as good as Spacek was, that Mary Tyler Moore gave the better performance that year. Spacek made me fall in lover with her; Moore scared the crap out of me.Grade: A

The story of Loretta Lynn, superstar of country music. From her time growing up (as Loretta Webb) in the coal-mining town of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, to her marrying "Doolittle" Lynn when only 15 years old, their marriage, her taking up singing and playing guitar to her first forays into making music, her making it big and the impact it had on her.Pretty good biopic. I'm not a country music fan, but you have to admire the way she, supported by her husband, made it to the top. No instant fame based on some cheesy televised talent show, she had to do it the hard way, through promoting herself, playing concerts in small venues and sheer talent and perseverance. The portion of the movie that shows her rise to the top is definitely the highlight of the movie. Her childhood gives a good background but is otherwise not that interesting. The conclusion is okay but not that profound or emotional. It's the middle that matters.So what you have is a conventional, linear biopic. No flashbacks, no great profundities, no great personal demons to overcome (biopics tend to thrive on personal demons). What lifts this movie above the average biopic, however, are the performances of Sissy Spacek, as Loretta Lynn, and Tommy Lee Jones, as Doolittle Lynn. Both are fantastic in their roles and the chemistry between them is great too. Spacek won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.Good support from Beverley D'Angelo as Patsy Cline. Levon Helm (of The Band) gives a solid performance as Ted Webb, Loretta Lynn's father.