There are many rags to riches stories in music, but country and western seems to have more than most other genres. Of course there are even more riches to rags stories, such is the fickle nature of popular music, and few artists can really expect a long and lengthy career. Some of the better known such tales include that of Tina Turner, whose autobiography has already been turned into a successful and respectable film, and Shania Twain's story must be a prime candidate for the big screen. Coal Miner's Daughter, starring Academy Award-winning Sissy Spacek in the lead role, is the story of country superstar Loretta Lynn, and believe me, in country and western music they don't come any bigger.
Born in Kentucky to a poor family, she was the second of eight children. Her father was a coal miner, hence the title, and at 14 she was married to local war-veteran Oliver 'Doolittle' Lynn, who was about five years older but as there are no records of his birth, his age is hard to determine. Although rocky, their marriage survived, and by the time she was 18, Loretta was living interstate with 'Doo' and their four children. She would eventually have six children.
Poverty was pretty much expected 'them' days, and just simple things like buying a radio, or new shoes, was quite an event. As is common, poor folk really have to make their own entertainment, and after hearing Loretta singing to the kids, Oliver bought her a cheap guitar on her birthday. At first she was not convinced, but soon managed to bang out a few chords.
Things took an interesting turn when 'Doo' entered her in a local talent night and she wowed them. Reluctant at first, she realised that she had something. She also wrote her first song, Hony Tonk Girl, and set off with 'Doo' across many states to promote it on local radio stations, often arriving unannounced. With the children at her mother's, Loretta and 'Doo' continued plugging away in hopes of becoming successful. The record was a sizeable hit, but the small record label was unable to promote it properly.
Loretta and 'Doo' arrived in Nashville, America's home of country and western, for an amateur night at The Grand Ol' Opry and the rest, as they say, is history.
While it sounds like a simple rags to riches story, there is much more to it, from 'Doo's' infidelity, Loretta's collapsing from the workload, a volatile marriage, the death in a plane crash of her close friend, Patsy Cline, and the regular ups and downs of a couple in the public eye.
Sissy Spacek is brilliant (as she always is) as Loretta Lynn, right down to the singing that is all her own (as is Beverly D'Angelo's Patsy Cline). Tommy Lee Jones does a great job as 'Doo', and the supporting cast is all solid. The songs are typically country and western, dealing with the usual topics of cheating, honky tonk bars, injured animals and trucks (often in the same song I might add), but that's country and you gotta smile.
The locations are well chosen as most of the movie was filmed in Kentucky. The story is interesting enough, and only becomes slightly predictable and less interesting as Lynn's success grows and grows, but as it is what happened, it's pointless to be critical.
There is no doubt that, like most 'true-life' stories, there has been some dramatisation and perhaps some things left out, but this story is still a good solid effort, based on Lynn's autobiography of the same name. You won't need to be a country and western fan to enjoy the film, but it won't hurt none, y'all.
The trend of average to slightly above average video transfers continues with Coal Miner's Daughter. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio is not 16:9 enhanced, but is a fair effort, if hardly impressive. Colours are mostly good, but occasionally a little washed out. There is no noticeable colour bleeding or noise, and black levels are also solid without being brilliant. Shadow detail is mostly fair.
There are few, if any, film artefacts, no edge enhancement, and little to no shimmer. Considering the lack of extras and audio options, this should not come as a surprise. The layer change is placed at 63:13 and I was surprised that this DVD would require two layers.
There is little to be said either way for the only English audio option, Dolby Digital 1.0 mono. It is as unspectacular as any mono audio can be, and is a bit of a shame given that music is an important factor in the movie. There is, naturally enough, no separation or panning, nor any use of the surround speakers or subwoofer.
There is no great sound range in evidence, but all dialogue is clear and audible and there are no issues with synchronisation. It does the job, but is in no way going to impress even the least fussy listener.
Should you care, there are alternative audio options of Castellano, French, German, and Italian all in glorious Dolby Digital 1.0 mono and subtitles to match .
