Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas

Somewhere I got the idea this was going to be a movie rather than a variety special. I guess it was both, because it was the sort of fictional story about preparing for a TV special which, for the most part, never actually aired.

Instead, we see rehearsals, taping of musical numbers which will not air live, fantasy segments where Dolly is by herself (but not really), and preparations, with fictional characters played by actors who were supposedly in charge. So we have all the elements that would have gone into a real special, without ever seeing most of what actually would be broadcast.

And if you ignore all the details about preparations and pretend all the musical numbers and other content were in an actual special, most of it is pretty good.

Now I won't say Dolly Parton can do no wrong. I say this about Willie Nelson, who did well but really showed his age. Of course I like Dolly. Everyone likes Dolly, right?

But I didn't care for all the songs she performed. Of course she's talented and despite her age still has lots of energy. I just don't like some of the styles of music she performs, and she has done just about every style there is. I prefer the more traditional style country or Americana, and the 70s country sound that wasn't really country. But the various pop styles and Christian music that she also performed just don't happen to be my taste. Southern gospel is fine, and of course the European classical composers and other traditional styles of Christian music. But for a Christmas special, I mainly like the more traditional styles of music. I like rock and roll from when it was still called that, but at Christmas?

And I certainly don't care for something called "Go to Hell", regardless. Don't you think kids will be watching? There were kids in it.

It was probably longer than it had to be, but there was a lot of good stuff here.

Who ever had this idea, wrote, and directed this should have rethought it! Dolly usually has heartwarming shows during the holiday but this seemed like a neverending ad for dollywood. The acting was horrible and the songs strange. After 30 minutes I had to turn it off. Would have been much better if she was just giving an actual concert instead of a movie about trying to make a concert. Don't waste your time! It was hard to watch and I can't get those 30 minutes of my life back. Stick to your regular concerts and your heartwarming stories Dolly! This was so fake and disingenuous it's a complete waste!

I expected a nice variety show, not a "movie" about her making a show. During the first 5 minutes I was thinking that was just an intro to the show, but no, it continued.

When she was singing the non Christmas'y song in the field, I was confused even more! Then the scene at Dollywood. That was just full of stage fright and overacting from all involved.

I fast forwarded it to the "go to hell" song as I saw it on a meme and wanted to hear it in its entirety. I had a good laugh and after that point, pressed stop, then deleted it.

This was too all over the place and just didn't care to see how it ended nor was I interested in seeing any of the other celeb appearances. Waaaaaaaay too much cringe for my liking.

The Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon segments were great. My only complaint was half the songs were not very Christmasy. One was about Satan. 'He's Alive' sounded like an Easter song. It's a Christmas special, so in my opinion every song should have been a Christmas song. There are plenty of them!

The acting segments were also a bit much. I don't really want to watch Dolly Parton acting like a diva or "boss" in a Christmas special. I get she probably wanted to show another side of herself, the "business side." But in a Christmas special it was distracting and a bit jarring.

Overall I would recommend it.

Seeing Willie Nelson is always a treat. I'm not like a lifelong Dolly fan club member or anything but I tell you what, she showed optimism, thoughtfulness and talent. Much respect for the way of life that Dolly presented and the joy and fun that she brought to our home. The kids watched it too, not knowing who she is but just being avid consumers of streaming family content and now Christmas themed shows in particular. Not to spoil anything but I have to say it got better as it went and climaxed at the end with a song I am still thinking about the next day. Glad we came across this one. God bless Dolly Parton! Also was introduced to a new singer Zach Williams who sounded great I am planning to find more of his music.