Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

Director:

Michael Apted

Writers:

Loretta Lynn (autobiography)
Thomas Rickman (writer)

Release Date:

7 March 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

She was married at 13. She had four kids by the time she was 20. She's been hungry and poor. She's been loved and cheated on. She became a singer because it was the only thing she could do. She became a star because it was the only way she could do it.

Plot:

Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.

Plot Keywords:

Loretta Lynn | Poverty | Country Music | Singer | Grand Ole Opry

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Bee, Virginia, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Joe Don Baker, who bears a strong resemblance to the real Doolittle Lynn, was the producers' first choice to play him, but he was unable to accept the offer.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: The boom mic is visible when teenager Loretta is talking to her mother in the living room.

Quotes:

Radio station manager: And come off that dumb hillbilly act!
Doolittle: If you knew Loretta, you'd know that ain't no act.
Loretta Lynn: Thank you, honey.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation (1992) (V)

Soundtrack:

Walking The Floor Over You

Biopic of Loretta Lynn Just Gets Better with Age!

To me, the success of a film biography isn't whether fans of the personality will watch the movie; they will, whether it is any good, or not...the true measure of success is how the film captures an audience who DON'T know the person, and wins their hearts.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" does this, better than nearly any other 'biopic', and the film is as passionate and wonderful today as it was in 1980.

There are several reasons for the film's 'staying' power; first, British director Michael Apted, making his first American feature, brought an unbiased eye to the lifestyle of poor but proud rural America. Eschewing the clichés of the "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Dukes of Hazzards" stereotypes, he cast many 'locals' in the film, and attempted to recreate, as realistically as possible, the world Loretta Webb/Lynn knew so well.

Second, the film boasts not one or two, but three powerhouse supporting performances. Tommy Lee Jones, who Apted picked over Harrison Ford, is a revelation as Doolittle 'Mooney' Lynn. With only a handful of credits when the film was released, he demonstrated the dazzling combination of humor and sensitivity that would eventually win him a place as one of our finest actors. Levon Helm, making his dramatic debut as Loretta's father, Ted, is even more impressive. Low-key, but irresistible, he offers so much love and power in his portrayal that it's easy to see why he would remain influential to his superstar daughter, long after his passing. In a brief but sparkling portrayal, Beverly D'Angelo channels Patsy Cline to perfection (I may be alone in my opinion, but I prefer her portrayal over Jessica Lange's, in "Sweet Dreams"). With earthy charm and worldliness, she would change Loretta's image from 'cowgirl' to 'royalty', and her shocking, early death would shatter Loretta, much as it did for everyone who loved her.

Of course, without a strong, charismatic performance in the lead, nothing else would matter, and Sissy Spacek is nothing less than spectacular! Handpicked by Loretta Lynn, herself, from a photograph (Spacek would admit that she felt 'wrong' for the role, and uncomfortable about Lynn proclaiming the actress as "her" choice on national TV, but as she was preparing to turn it down, "Coal Miner's Daughter" came on a 'classical' radio station she was listening to, and she suddenly knew she was 'meant' to play the part!) Contrary to popular opinion, she had to learn Lynn's Southern accent, and spent grueling weeks learning how to sing her signature tunes (including a week with Loretta, herself). The end results are stunning! Despite only a passing resemblance, Spacek so totally captured the talent, vulnerability, feistiness, and strength of Loretta Lynn that she won the 1980 'Best Actress' Oscar (over Gena Rowlands, Ellen Burstyn, Goldie Hawn, and Mary Tyler Moore), and is still identified with the role, today.

I knew little of Country Music in 1980, and even less about Loretta Lynn, but the film captured my heart...and after 25 years, it still moves me! "Coal Miner's Daughter" IS a CLASSIC!