Coal Miner's Daughter

1980- Universal Pictures
Directed By Michael Apted


SYNOPSIS

This biopic traces the life of Loretta Lynn. Growing up in a poor mining town, 13-year old Loretta (Sissy Spacek) meets returning Army vet Doolittle Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones.) The two fall in love, marry, and have several children. For an anniversary present, Doolittle give Loretta a guitar because he loves the way she sings. She cuts a record and finds herself on the Grand Ole Opry... and before long a country superstar.

MY THOUGHTS

What could be just a standard showbiz documentary is elevated by its two masterful lead performances.


On the surface, the relationship between Loretta and Doolittle is more than creepy. A grown man marrying a 13 year old is unsettling... and their relationship is far from smooth sailing (but they stayed together for nearly 50 years before his death in 1996.)
Refreshingly, director Michael Apted presents everything in a matter-of-fact way and never gets preachy and influences our opinions of the characters. He doesn't paint Doolittle as a horrible person, or Loretta's parents as bad people for allowing the marriage. Loretta also is never portrayed as a victim (or a saint.)

The rural Kentucky life depicted early in the film seems very authentic and doesn't appear "Hollywoodized." This and the lack of hillbilly stereotypes help to set up the realism that is conveyed in the performances.

Sissy Spacek totally nails the character of Loretta Lynn. She's a perfect mimic in every way. The speaking AND singing voice, mannerisms, innocence and the spunk are all perfectly replicated. With only minimal costuming and hairstyle changes, she expresses the decades that pass during the course of the story, just by the subtle levels of confidence her character has (via her posture, boldness, etc.)
Spacek is an outstanding actress, she can convey the complex emotions of a deceptively 'simple' character  and comes across as real as the real Loretta Lynn.
Spacek deservedly won an Oscar.

Tommy Lee Jones has the most difficult role in the film. He must antagonize the main character, who is adored by millions, yet somehow NOT come off looking like a monster. He's a perfect match for Spacek, they both  portray their roles as realistically as possible. Doolittle has more than a few rough edges and rarely admits his love for Loretta... but Jones is able to convey this with just body language and actions. A lesser actor could not pull that off as subtly.
It's a real shame Tommy Lee Jones has seemingly been pigeonholed playing lawmen and authority figures since his Oscar win for The Fugitive. Even in quality films like No Country For Old Men, he never gets the chance to flex his acting muscles as strongly as he did here.

Beverly D'Angelo (as Patsy Cline) and Levon Helm (as Loretta's father) provide more than solid support.

The film's structure is pretty basic, following Loretta Lynn's entertaining autobiography. The book never dragged, but the film does in many spots and could have even shaved a good 10-20 minutes from it.


Even people who loathe country music should find plenty to enjoy here since it's not focused on the music... it's focused on the life of Loretta Lynn and music is only a part of it all.