Coal Miner's Daughter [DVD] [2003]

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Product Description ------------------- Michael Apted directs this biographical drama which charts the life and career of legendary country music singer Loretta Lynne (Sissy Spacek). One of eight children born to struggling Kentucky coal miner Ted Webb (Levon Helm), Loretta marries Doolittle 'Mooney' Lynne (Tommy Lee Jones) and has four children of her own by the time she is 20. After being spotted singing in local bars, she is picked up by a small Canadian record label and heads to Los Angeles to record a demo. Desperate to take advantage of Loretta's initial success, Doolittle plans an extensive promotional tour and the pair set out on a journey across the country in a bid to push the new record. However, although Loretta's star continues to rise, the stresses of trying to raise a family combined with an exhausting touring schedule begin to take their toll on the young singer. The cast also includes Beverly d'Angelo, Phyllis Boyens and William Sanderson. .co.uk Review ------------- Sissy Spacek ( /gp/search?search-alias=dvd&field-keywords=Sissy%20Spacek=-ntsc ) won a much-deserved O for her lead in this entertaining biography of country-music legend Loretta Lynn. British director Michael Apted (Gorillas in the Mist) brings fine texture to the Kentucky backwoods section of the film, where the teenage Loretta meets her future husband (Tommy Lee Jones ( /gp/search?search-alias=dvd&field-keywords=Tommy%20Lee%20Jones=-ntsc )), who ultimately pushes her into show business. Lynn's adult life is well covered, from her spouse's philandering to her own on-stage crackups; but between the chapter-and-verse recollections, the script by Thomas Rickman is layered with life and moments of great humour. No wooden portrait, this is a vibrant film made outstanding by the colorful performances of the two leads, as well as Beverly D'Angelo ( /gp/search?search-alias=dvd&field-keywords=Beverly%20D'Angelo+-ntsc ) and the Band's Levon Helm. --Tom Keogh