Coal Miner's Daughter: 25th Anniversary Edition DVD Review:

Coal Miner’s Daughter is based on the true story of Loretta Lynn, a country singer who started out in the unlikeliest of situations. Loretta’s amazing story was written in book form first, and it was the first musician autobiography to hit the bestseller list. In six weeks it sold more than a million copies. This fact alone makes the film more amazing, but it is the two lead performances by Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones which makes the film truly worth watching. If it weren’t for them, I would simply recommend the book.

Loretta Lynn grew up in a small mining town with a large family. By the time she was thirteen she was already being pursued by Doolittle Mooney, a soldier who returns home with nothing to do. The beginning of the film follows their romance as it quickly develops into marriage and a family. Everything changes when Doolittle sees something in the talent Loretta has in singing to her children. Doolittle suddenly forces Loretta onstage in a local bar one night, and although she fights it, once she sings in front of a crowd she discovers that she loves it. Loretta would be happy just singing in the same bar, but Doolittle is determined to make her a star. He puts work into her career, being her manager, but he also has the presence of mind to step out of the position when the work becomes too difficult for him. Soon Loretta is a star, performing with Patsy Cline.

Although the film is heavy on melodrama, especially near the end and concerning Loretta’s relationship with Doolittle, there is plenty to admire about it as well. Spacek won an Oscar for her role as Loretta Lynn and the supporting cast is equally amazing. Although this is a true story about a country star, there is a lot more to the story. It is more about the characters and their individual personalities than it actually is about the music, although the portrayal of the difficulties in being a star is frighteningly accurate.

This 25th Anniversary Edition is packed with all sorts of goodies to celebrate the longevity of this classic. Most impressive is the commentary by Sissy Spacek and director Michael Apted. There is also three other features. There is an interview with Michael Apted and Loretta Lynn, comments by Tommy Lee Jones as he looks back on the film, and a salutation by George Bush Sr. to the AFI and Coal Miner’s Daughter. There is also a photo journal insert inside the DVD, which is filled with quotes from the film and the director along with great photos from the film.



Ryan Izay