Anoushka Slater
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Blake Rivera
If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.
Hattie
I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
NikkoFranco
I was a teenager when I have seen this film, but I do remember the details such as how many ( or how less ) paying audience was in the cinema at that time. Am I glad that more than thirty years later, I am able to see this film again. I am equally impressed with Sissy Spacek´s performance then and now still and what is also striking is that there was not a lot of boot kicking, country-singing you see in most biographies about singers rather a lot of hardship and heartbreak. A solid, quality film.
Scott LeBrun
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.
jarrodmcdonald-1
Okay, can't believe I am going to say this-- but I didn't like it. And I loved this movie when I was a kid in the 80s. But looking at it now, over thirty years later, I can't get over how odd it is hearing someone else sing Loretta Lynn's finest tunes. Let's face it-- as good an actress as she is, Sissy Spacek is not going to be appearing at the Grand Ole Opry anytime soon. I don't understand why Universal didn't pony up and just lease the original recordings and have Sissy lip-sync it. Is this a case of an actress' vanity, wanting to impress audiences that she can sing on a par with a Nashville legend?In a similar vein, I'm not hep on hearing Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon fill in for Johnny & June Carter-Cash in Fox's WALK THE LINE. It sounds phony-- like watching a movie about diamonds, knowing the whole time that the gems on display are actually cubic zirconium.Look instead at what Touchstone did with the hit film WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT-- they knew that as good as Angela Bassett was, a fitting tribute for Tina Turner would be to showcase the songs as originally sung by her. Admittedly, Laurence Fishburne sang Ike's parts, especially on Proud Mary with Tina herself-- but that is understandable given the real- life estrangement of the Turners and the fact that Ike was probably not creatively involved in the film at all. The film was about Tina's story, and it featured her voice on the soundtrack.Anyway, back to COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER-- a big thumbs down. When I watch something where country superstar Loretta Lynn is the main subject, I want to hear her sing, not a pale vocal imitation. In the same way I would not accept Loretta Lynn acting as Sissy Spacek in a biopic about the actress, I do not accept Sissy singing as Loretta. I want the real thing. Please give the cubic zirconium to someone who doesn't know the difference between the original and the fake.
Wuchak
Released in 1980, "Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the true story of Loretta Lynn and her amazing journey from a poor Kentucky Coal Miner's daughter to the "First Lady" of Country music.Let me stress that you don't have to like Country music to enjoy this movie. Heck, I'm into the heavier side of metal and the film had no problem pulling me in. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even in the mood for this type of film last night, yet after a mere 35 minutes or so I was spellbound until the end; not to mention I found myself today watching music videos of Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline on youtube (!!).Sissy Spacek and a young Tommy Lee Jones play Loretta and her husband, while Beverly D'Angelo has a small-but-significant role as Patsy Cline. The acting is so stellar that it seems like you're watching real people.It's useless to cite best scenes because this is the type of of high-quality film where you just press 'play' and enjoy from beginning to end.One segment I'd like to comment on, though, is where Loretta and her husband (Oliver "Mooney") come back to Kentucky from Custer, Washington, for the funeral of Loretta's dad. After the funeral Oliver points out that, if they're ever going to make it in the music biz, they have to act now and travel to all the radio stations and push her first single. They put in the time and sweat and the song -- "Honky Tonk Girl" -- became a breakthrough hit. What's the point? We must be sensitive to the critical times in our lives when we must step out in faith and ACT if we want to be successful in our chosen call. If Loretta and Mooney hadn't put the meddle to the peddle at that critical moment you probably wouldn't be reading this.There are numerous other great segments, including Loretta's relationship with Patsy Cline and her moving breakdown on stage near the end.The film runs 2 hours and 5 minutes and was filmed in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.PERSONAL GRADE: A
