Review of Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) by Kylie P — 26 Nov 2009

Coal Miner's Daughter showcased quite a lot of heart and soul and all basically because Spacek is so winning and convincing as Loretta Lynn. If her performance had fallen flat, the entire film would have crumbled right along with it, but Ms. Lynn's instincts were on the money when she chose Spacek to portray her on-screen persona. First, and impressively, Spacek plays a woman who ages from 13 to her 40s in the space of two hours. Second, she is actually doing the singing, and her voice is, needless to say, a dead ringer for Lynn's. Third, the essence of the country singer was captured so much, suspension of disbelief was complete, but for the fact that the two women do not look that much alike (at least until Spacek is wigged for Lynn's later years). Sissy Spacek is the focal point around which the success of this film revolves, and since the film is not only sustained but buoyed by her thorough and amazing portrayal, Spacek probably deserved her Oscar and then some.

Director Michael Apted tended to emphasize some of the social themes, such as the abject poverty into which Loretta Lynn was born, but otherwise, the film depicted a life story for a living woman in the most complete way possible. Jones did a fine job. Less impressive was D'Angelo, but, to be fair, as Sissy/Loretta exclaimed ever-so-succinctly in the film, "Nobody can sing like Patsy!" Still, she was far less of a dead-ringer than her co-star, both in singing and in spoken inflection, and it was difficult to suspend disbelief for D'Angelo's performance.

The film as a whole was well put-together, and Loretta Lynn's life story was as engrossingly rendered as if she'd read her own book aloud with that same down-to-earth and folksy charm that her fans have come to adore her for in addition to her music, which traditionally depicted strong women of conviction. It's a definite must-see for all Loretta Lynn fans, and if you watch the collectors' edition DVD, take a few minutes to check out the interview between director Apted and Lynn as they reflect on the making of this film. It's interesting to hear how Loretta received it and found it strange and difficult to watch because it was so piercingly accurate in its portrayal of her life.