Perry Kate Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

gab-14712 Let me say it right here. Coal Miner's Daughter is one of the best films of 1980. Period. I was literally taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed this movie especially from the kind of story it is. It's a simple rags-to-rich story that does not stray far away from the formula, and yet I was moved by the characterization portrayed by director Michael Apted, screenwriter Thomas Rickman, and the two leads in Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones. Every character here is humanized and they have flaws just as much as they have virtues. Sure the story follows formula (the simple early life, rise to stardom, the downfall, and of course the big comeback), but I was firmly glued onto the characters because of how they were. That is what made this movie excel. I wouldn't expect a movie about a country music star Loretta Lynn would move me as much as it did. But there you go, life is made of surprises.When Loretta Webb (Sissy Spacek) was thirteen years old, she marries a man named Doolittle Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones). As someone growing up in the heart of the country, Loretta is destined for a life of homemaking. But Doolittle sees that is wife is bursting with musical talent that she has yet to see. So as a anniversary present, she is given a guitar. By the time she turns eighteen, she is the mother of four kids and a busy housewife. But when she finds time to perform at local country fairs and honkytonks, she starts the path to superstardom.Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones deliver tremendous performances. Let's begin with Spacek. She was chosen by Loretta Lynn herself because of a photograph of her despite not being familiar with any of her movie projects. I thought that was really fascinating. Over the course of the movie, Loretta ages from thirteen to her thirties…and Spacek made that age increase convincing. Maybe its her face or her talent, but I believed her a thirteen-year-old growing up in the mountain and as a mid-30's superstar who ended up on a path of self-destruction as many people her caliber are wont to do. Whether she is singing at the Grand Ole Opry or popping pills on her tour bus, she gave a wonderful performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Then there is Tommy Lee Jones in a role perfect for him. He is a very serious man and he gave a serious yet humanized portrayal of Doolittle. He may be serious and a hard man, but he is a loving man too and he wants to make his wife happy and successful. He seems to be fighting with Loretta a lot, but you know there is love when he comes to her rescue at a concert collapse. This is Spacek's movie, but she allows Jones time to shine.The story itself is incredibly simple and it follows the simple biography formula. But the characterizations and many scenes give power to the movie. I loved the part where Doolittle Lynn is trying to convince disc jockeys to take her records, but to no avail. I loved when Loretta made friends with a famous country singer Patsy Cline (played wonderfully by Beverly D'Angelo) and was taken under her wing. I loved the scenes where she was growing up in a poor family headed by her father Ted Webb (played by Levon Helm). Every scene in the movie added something to the movie. I also thought Spacek sang very well! Coal Miner's Daughter is a very good film, one of the best films of 1980. It strikes a familiar chord, but it's also warm, moving, and sometimes funny. Loretta Lynn is one of country music's darlings, and she still is going strong today. If you like biographies or country music or just great movies in general, please check this movie out. I enjoyed it so much, that I gained a greater appreciation of Loretta Lynn and her music. I guess it must be that country heart of mine.My Grade: A-

zkonedog 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.

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.

SnoopyStyle Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) is born to the poor Webbs in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She is 13 when she catches the eye of Doolittle Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones) when he returns from the war as a dashing soldier. Soon they're married and she's a mother of 4 by the time she's 19. He buys her a secondhand guitar for their anniversary as she goes on a long journey to country music fame.This is a tour de force performance from Sissy Spacek. She is asked to take on quite a long length of her life. Of course, she's never going to look 13 but Sissy gives as much of that perception as possible. Loretta Lynn comes from a poverty stricken life that is Dickensian. Her rise is the stuff of legends. Through it all, Sissy Spacek gives an Oscar worthy performance. She is believable as a love sick 13 year old as well as a suffering middle age woman. It is as much about her acting than any makeup or lack thereof.