marky4792 Watching this movie gave me great insight on how Dolly Parton grew up. The cast was great and helped tell her story perfectly in my opinion, congratulations to you all. It shows her sweet, soft but yet tough side which I am sure is what has carried her until today. I learned things I did not know about her family and lessons I will carry with me to mine. It very much so is a MUST SEE! I know she can put tears in my eyes and they delivered. Thanks for bringing this life and I look forward to a miniseries coming, I know there is a lot more that can be said and music along the way to enjoy!Mark Adams Winston-Salem, NC 27103 12/29/2015

mgarciber Let me first start by saying that now days its really hard to find a family movie that can be free of sexual scenes, profanity language that at the same time can be entertaining. I enjoyed this movie from start to finish.My family ages, 43, 39, 7,14 watched this movie together and would watch it again. The movie is not about how Dolly got famous, but more about redemption, love and how Dolly's family despite being very poor had it all ( love, GOD, faith, moral).It leaves a strong message and cannot wait to see it again on Christmas day, as it was announced it was a hit with 13 million viewers nationwide.

vchimpanzee At the start of the movie, young Dolly walks into church with her guitar ... and enough makeup on her face to be accused of looking like a harlot. The start of a lifelong tradition.Alyvia Alyn Lind does a great job as this somewhat naughty and rebellious girl who is basically good and has a strong faith. But she's not the best actor in the movie. More on that in a minute. Lind makes us like her and convinces us she will be someone famous, although we already knew she would be. She goes through so many trials, including bullying and the loss of a sibling she was going to take care of and love. But while her faith is challenged, she shows us the true meaning of her faith. Plus she can sing.Regardless of what I think of Jennifer Nettles' music, as an actress I predict she will get an Emmy nomination. She is so kind and loving, though she must also be so depressed she thinks life can't continue. And then she picks herself up and moves on with life, even with all the trails and tribulations. She is not the serious, strict parent I was expecting, and yet she holds that family together. And while she doesn't have all her facts right, Avie Lee is a strong believer and like Dolly, delivers a meaningful message of faith. Oh, and she can sing too. And it's the good kind of country music too.Rick Schroder isn't quite the father I would have expected. He has his moments and does a good job overall, but he seems kind of weak in the presence of Dolly's stern but loving father. He somehow seems secondary to his wife in holding the family together. Still, Robert Lee is challenged by adversity and can't believe in the same way his family wants him to.Gerald McRaney does his usual fine job as the stern but loving preacher father who has never quite accepted Robert Lee. But he's trying.Mary Lane Haskell gives us a capable and caring teacher.There are plenty of other good performances from the kids. The bullies may not be bad people but may just need love.Is it squeaky clean? Of course not, but what would you expect from this tough family? There are several curse words but this is probably still fine for the kids. The sex-related talk will probably go over kids heads but they might ask questions. Still, this is quite family-friendly.It's a wonderful effort overall.

TxMike I am not a big country music fan and I've never been a particular fan of Dolly Parton although I have always enjoyed seeing her in interviews. I never knew her story and this TV movie covers it.Overall a very nice movie although I wish I could have seen it without the breaks for commercials. Some will be turned off for its religious theme but that is part of her story and it is presented well. Set in the 1950s when Dolly was a young girl, perhaps 10.The title is also the title of a song she wrote, which was released in 1971. It is both a reference to the biblical Joseph and his coat of many colors, plus the coat that Dolly's mom sewed for her. A patchwork coat it had many bright colors. Alyvia Alyn Lind, daughter of actors, is very appropriate as the young Dolly Parton. But to me the real star is non-actress Jennifer Nettles, country singer, as the mom, Avie Lee Parton. They had many children and after losing a son just after birth she went into a deep funk. When she broke out of it she started singing again and Nettles has a beautiful voice. And she shows us that as a first- timer she is a natural actress.Old reliable Rick Schroder is the dad, Robert Lee Parton, always standing outside church on Sundays, reluctant to actually go it. And old reliable Gerald McRaney is the grandpa and also the local preacher Rev. Jake Owens.The movie only covers a short time in Parton's life, part of a year, but it shows where she came from and how she received her influences.