As one of the better cinematic bios, "Coal Miner's Daughter" deserves praise because it is such a topnotch production. Sissy Spacek gives a terrific performance in the rags-to-riches, true-life story of country music legend Loretta Lynn. Spacek does her own singing in the movie, as does Beverly D'Angelo in the role of Patsy Cline.

But this lavish, big budget film has more to offer than the great performances of these two actresses. Attention to detail in production design, costumes, and makeup, plus topnotch editing combine to rev up the film's technical quality. And I loved that soundtrack with all those great country/western songs, including especially "Honky Tonk Angels" by the wonderful Kitty Wells. All of these cinematic elements render a film that is as entertaining as it is factual.

Loretta Lynn's story originates in the South; it's a story rich in emotion and appreciation of simple home values like love, family, and perseverance. Local non-actors are brought into the film in bit parts, and that amplifies the authenticity of her surroundings, especially her Southern roots.

My only problem with this film is the plot structure. The first fifty minutes could have been condensed. In particular, that part of the film that deals with Loretta's love affair with Mooney (Tommy Lee Jones),his red jeep, and Loretta's dad was too long and drawn out.

But overall, "Coal Miner's Daughter" is amazing because it presents a true-life success story that was by no means inevitable. All kinds of things could have intervened along the way to stop Loretta's rise to the top. Her husband was a big help, but she also had talent, and she got some breaks at crucial times. Her journey from rural Kentucky poverty to Nashville mansion thus makes for a gripping story helped along by the nearly perfect performance of Sissy Spacek.

Sissy Spacek earned the Oscar for Best Actress for playing the lead in "Coal Miner's Daughter" and I can certainly understand why. However, I must admit that while I really respected her performance, I didn't particularly care for the film. On the strength of her performance alone I give the film a 7.

So what did I dislike about the film? Well, it all boils down to not caring one bit about the characters. While this is a true story, I just didn't see any compelling reason to care about them or want to see the film and I found myself becoming rather bored. So what if Loretta Lynn went from being dirt poor to becoming a rich singing sensation? This alone was not enough for me. Her husband seemed like a jerk and she seemed a bit pathetic in the film--like they were guests on "The Jerry Springer Show" who just couldn't let each other go. He screamed, cursed and acted trashy. And, she mostly put up with it. When she did put her foot down, it wasn't very hard and the film ends with just this sick couple--and no resolution. To me, there just was no compelling reason to see the film other than to marvel at the singing of Spacek (and Beverly D'Angelo, now that I think about it). I just don't understand the devotion people feel to this film--even though it IS well made.

By the way, to set the record straight, Loretta was actually 15, not 13, when married--which wasn't that unusual for the time. I assume they made her appear to be 13 to create greater tension or dramatic impact.

Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) is born to the poor Webbs in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She is 13 when she catches the eye of Doolittle Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones) when he returns from the war as a dashing soldier. Soon they're married and she's a mother of 4 by the time she's 19. He buys her a secondhand guitar for their anniversary as she goes on a long journey to country music fame.

This is a tour de force performance from Sissy Spacek. She is asked to take on quite a long length of her life. Of course, she's never going to look 13 but Sissy gives as much of that perception as possible. Loretta Lynn comes from a poverty stricken life that is Dickensian. Her rise is the stuff of legends. Through it all, Sissy Spacek gives an Oscar worthy performance. She is believable as a love sick 13 year old as well as a suffering middle age woman. It is as much about her acting than any makeup or lack thereof.