At eighteen, the mother of four children and busy housewife Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) still finds time to write and sing songs at small fairs and local honky-tonks. Recognizing her raw talent and huge potential, her ambitious husband Mooney (Tommy Lee Jones) prods her into making a record and going to Nashville. After a performance at the Grand Ole Opry the record becomes a smash hit, launching her career to super stardom and changing the sound and style of Country Music forever.
Directed by
Michael Apted
Written by
Loretta Lynn (autobiography); Thomas Rickman (as Tom Rickman); George Vecsey (autobiography).
Starring
Sissy Spacek (Loretta Lynn); Tommy Lee Jones ('Mooney' Lynn); Levon Helm (Ted Webb); Phyllis Boyens ('Clary' Webb); Bill Anderson Jr. (Webb child); Foister Dickerson (Webb child); Malla McCown (Webb child); Pamela McCown (Webb child); Kevin Salvilla (Webb child); William Sanderson (Lee Dollarhide); Sissy Lucas (Loretta & Mooney's child); Pat Patterson (Loretta's child); Brian Warf (Loretta & Mooney's child); Elizabeth Watson (Loretta & Mooney's child); Beverly D'Angelo (Patsy Cline). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A tale of ups and downs, but also of belief and faithfulness
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
I watched 'Coal Miner's Daughter' on account of its recommendation in AFI's Top 100 Cheers list, and I have to say it was a pretty good choice by the National American film body. The 'mood' of the film was much as I expected - somewhat gritty to start off with; plenty of ups, downs and in-fighting as are synonymous with such tales (see 'Walk the Line' and 'Almost Famous' for example), but ultimately it comes through to an uplifting ending. What struck me was how Loretta and Mooney took their troubles almost as given; even Loretta staying with Mooney after he struck her. This also included Loretta bringing up four children by the age of eighteen. And not that any woman should be forced into staying with a husband that struck her, but they do provide one example of a couple that stayed together for better or for worse. Ultimately, the belief Mooney showed in Loretta took them on to an incredible life together. Sissy Spacek was well deserving of her Best Actress Win, whilst Tommy Lee Jones, if not quite so subdued, also gave a foretaste of many a performance to come from him in the future too. A final note also goes to the inclusion of a few of Loretta's songs which even those who have little fondness for country music will find hard not to admire.
