Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love

Perhaps based on true life events, but it appears that it may be also be a semi-fictional fable as well. I will leave it up to the viewer to make that determination. It all revolves around the school's Christmas Pageant of the Nativity, and the whole family pitching in to buy Mama a gold wedding ring. Daddy risks life-and-limb to work in the dangerous coal mine to make enough money so he can buy the ring. The 2 main dramatic moments involve a mining disaster and the entire family trapped inside of a snowbound house. It's a Christmas miracle. Dolly makes an appearance and I am not sure if it is meant to be her future self or a "painted lady" in the town. Truly great family entertainment and justly nominated for an Emmy. (Rated 3 hankies)

A follow-up to Dolly Parton's 'Coat of Many Colours'. This time it is a Christmas theme. As usual the tale was told from young Dolly's view. The Parton family is readying for the festival. The list is long what everybody wants for Christmas. But time to sacrifice for something more important for family than individuals. Everybody contributes, yet does not meet the requirement. So the extra adventure begins, on one end the father takes a risky job far away from home and Dolly decides to sing on the streets. The remaining story is to tell how it all ends.

I saw it when the Christmas is just 30 days away. A perfect season to watch such film. But it was an okay film. Being a Christian film, the previous one did not bother me. But this one went out of the control, like it became a fantasy. Yeah, the end was un-believable for a film based on the real. I always like to see on the screen how a family struggles against the odds, but being reality is most matters. It just slipped away in a few occasions, including at the end twist. Still a nice film for families. All the cast had returned and they all were good. Directed by the same filmmaker. One time watchable film.

6/10

I understand that "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" is based on something that happened early in Dolly Parton's life. It tells the story of how little Dolly and her siblings, growing up dirt-poor in rural Tennessee, made some extreme sacrifices to get their mother a gift one Christmas. Parton herself co-stars as a sort of guardian angel to the young Dolly. I was surprised to see that the director is Stephen Herek, who has directed movies as different as "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "Mr. Holland's Opus".

It's not any sort of masterpiece, but I liked how it affirmed that despite the numerous hardships, this was a close, loving family. Dolly Parton is one person who makes clear that not all rural people are ignorant yahoos. As she once said: "I may be a country bumpkin, but at least I'm a smart country bumpkin."

The question isn't whether you love Dolly Parton - it's whether you love her anywhere near as much as her movie does. Dolly is painting her image for us as we watch, and in addition to being an incredibly talented singer and songwriter and an almost supernaturally appealing performer, Parton has always been one smart cookie when it comes to that image. She laughs at herself first, and people love her for it. Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love shows how strong her faith was at a very young age, and still continuing her walk and faith with God today. To the extent the film has an actual center, it's occupied by Parton's parents Lee and Avie Lee, played by Ricky Schroder and Jennifer Nettles. Christmas is coming, and Lee wants to get Avie Lee a special present, but he can't do it without making sacrifices, and asking the kids to sacrifice as well. That's one story, anyway. There's also Dolly's determination to star in the Christmas pageant, and drag her best friend with her, center stage; Lee's doubts over Avie Lee's premonitions; Grandpa's problems with his son's behavior; and two would-be fatal disasters, each resolved by divine intervention. A few of those stories might have worked; all thrown together, well, let's just say it's a coat of too many colors. As Parton herself narrates, whether you accept the film's belief in miracles is up to you. The problem isn't whether you believe you're seeing God - it's whether you believe you're really seeing Parton as a child rather than an adult Dolly shrunk to child size. Parton may well have been as universally adored as the film would have us believe, but simply telling us that is not enough: A movie has to make it seem credible as we watch the story unfold. So enjoy Colors for what it's worth - for the message, the music and Parton's benevolent spirit. Just know there must be a better movie to be made about her life than NBC is offering. What a Christmas gift that might have been.

This was another feel good holiday film from Dolly Parton, who is generous enough to share autobiographical and inspirational stories from her youth.

Heavy message about sacrifice, thinking of others, and leaning in to one's faith.

Good cast. Great performances.

Leaves you feeling good about life and others the way every holiday movie should.