Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors

At the start of the movie, young Dolly walks into church with her guitar ... and enough makeup on her face to be accused of looking like a harlot. The start of a lifelong tradition.

Alyvia Alyn Lind does a great job as this somewhat naughty and rebellious girl who is basically good and has a strong faith. But she's not the best actor in the movie. More on that in a minute. Lind makes us like her and convinces us she will be someone famous, although we already knew she would be. She goes through so many trials, including bullying and the loss of a sibling she was going to take care of and love. But while her faith is challenged, she shows us the true meaning of her faith. Plus she can sing.

Regardless of what I think of Jennifer Nettles' music, as an actress I predict she will get an Emmy nomination. She is so kind and loving, though she must also be so depressed she thinks life can't continue. And then she picks herself up and moves on with life, even with all the trails and tribulations. She is not the serious, strict parent I was expecting, and yet she holds that family together. And while she doesn't have all her facts right, Avie Lee is a strong believer and like Dolly, delivers a meaningful message of faith. Oh, and she can sing too. And it's the good kind of country music too.

Rick Schroder isn't quite the father I would have expected. He has his moments and does a good job overall, but he seems kind of weak in the presence of Dolly's stern but loving father. He somehow seems secondary to his wife in holding the family together. Still, Robert Lee is challenged by adversity and can't believe in the same way his family wants him to.

Gerald McRaney does his usual fine job as the stern but loving preacher father who has never quite accepted Robert Lee. But he's trying.

Mary Lane Haskell gives us a capable and caring teacher.

There are plenty of other good performances from the kids. The bullies may not be bad people but may just need love.

Is it squeaky clean? Of course not, but what would you expect from this tough family? There are several curse words but this is probably still fine for the kids. The sex-related talk will probably go over kids heads but they might ask questions. Still, this is quite family-friendly.

It's a wonderful effort overall.

A television film that I was eager to watch it since it is highly acclaimed. It is a Christian film, which won't mind, but they have highlighted that topic too strongly. What I've anticipated was something like 'Love Comes Softly'. Since it went on that way, missed the opportunity to be balanced in content. Now it is a target product for the believers. If you won't mind that, then it will be a good film that shows lots of good sides by pointing out the bads.

Based on the true story, that sets in the 1955, tells the story of a big farmer family living on the mountain, but all the focus was one of the children named Dolly. She's different than rest of her siblings. She's curious about the world, so mischievous and a good singer too. Her latest trouble takes a big price. Following, the family in a distress, that's going to change a few things forever in her life and everybody else.

First of all I know zero about the real Dolly Parton. Thanks to this film for her early life introduction, but still don't know much about her latter life. So expecting from the sequels to cover them up. For now, there's only one sequel, about the Christmas. Alyvia was really good. She reminded Abigail Breslin from 'Kit Kittredge'. The film mainly aimed for families, so they would surely enjoy it. I liked it too, but not that overexcited as before my watch.

6/10

I look forward to seeing this movie every Christmas, but somehow I cannot find it to watch. What happened to the good, clean Christmas movies? This should be a yearly Movie just like Rudolf, Frosty, etc.

This movie shows the life of Dolly Parton in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. I lived in East Tennessee for seven years and love the people and the beauty of the area. This movie gives a peek at life in East Tennessee. Clean movie. Use of the word "Hell". Cute little girl to play Dolly. Movie gets me excited to go back and visit the area again. When movie comes to video, it will be apart of our family's collection. Nice to see clean movie on prime time viewing. Hopefully this will encourage the alphabet stations to put more of these types of movies instead of crude humored shows. Cool to see Dolly become a balladeer during the movie and see her at Dollywood.

We viewed this more or less by accident: there was not much in the way of choices. From the beginning, I was impressed by the acting, particularly of the young "Dolly Parton." We are not religious people: you don't have to be to enjoy this wholesome, well acted program with such a message of what we are here on earth to do: give love and support to others even if at first they may seem unloving and not supportive of us. The other message is that people may be poor and struggling yet that does not mean they are not able to give and receive love within and outside of their families.

Dolly, you came a long way. And I sincerely hope that "Little Dolly" has the opportunity to pursue an acting and or singing career if she chooses.