gavin6942 Biographical story of Loretta Lynn, a legendary country singer that came from poverty to worldwide fame. She rose from humble beginnings in Kentucky to super-stardom and changing the sound and style of country music forever.For me, if I think Sissy Spacek, I only think of "Carrie". I know she has done other things, but that is, in my opinion, her defining role. Now, that being said, Loretta Lynn probably takes a close second. I am not sure that anyone else would have been right for the part.It seems that we need more country music biopics. When they succeed, they succeed in a big way. Both this and "Walk the Line" are excellent, and I suspect there are a lot more great stories of country music pioneers. Not the polished, fake country stars we have today... but the real ones. George Jones, Hank Williams and countless others.

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

tieman64 A rags to riches biopic, Michael Apted's "Coal Miner's Daughter" portrays the life of pioneering Country and Western singer Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek). One of the first films to set in stone the genre's formula, "Daughter" watches as Lynn grows up amidst Kentucky coalfields and moves from a life of extreme poverty to super-stardom.Spacek, who'd do her own singing in the film, would win an Oscar for her role. "Daughter" finds her dealing with the genre's usual obstacles (marital conflict, prescription drugs, nervous breakdowns etc), but Apted's low-key tone keeps things feeling fresh. The film stars Tommy Lee Jones as Loretta's impetuous husband.7.5/10 – Worth one viewing.