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

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.

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

Great movie,a must see,Christmas and the children's presents will total about $25 oh how we wish it is the same today and the kids even give that up just for their mother to be able to get the wedding band that she so wanted for 8 years!!!How the her hubby went to work in the mines to get the money just for awhile cause if he stay where he was it it take three months to earn the money and he get cover up and the Lord pulls him out of the mines to be able to return home to give Dolly's mother the ring for Christmas PRAY this movie will help us coal miners to keep what we was promise our UMWA health Insurance and pension that our husband work so hard and in very dangerous place

Once again, we get more wonderful performances. Alyvia Alyn Lind is the perfect young Dolly. When she sings in one scene I actually think I'm hearing the real Dolly.

Jennifer Nettles should have been Emmy nominated last year, but cable shows seem to get most of the nominations, and she's fantastic again but it just won't happen because last year was slightly more challenging. But it's amazing to watch the mother go through being concerned and then stronger than she has ever had to be.

Gerald McRaney is of course quite good as the preacher grandfather who is so grateful his son-in-law is finally on the right track. And the baptism scene is funny.

Mary Lane Haskell does an outstanding job as the patient teacher, who along with Dolly has an amazing scene in Miss Moody's house.

Hannah Nordberg does a good job as Dolly's best friend.

Farrah Mackenzie is so cute as young Stella, while the real Stella gives us a great performance as the snooty businesswoman who learns an important lesson.

And for someone who was once told she can't act (her response I believe was something like "Honey I know I can't act. It's your job to make me look good."), well of course Dolly herself does a wonderful job essentially playing herself, but really acting as a sort of angel to her younger self.

The real Dolly also sings several nice songs. They wouldn't be among my choices for a Christmas music radio format. But here they were nice and I'm sure people would like them.

Have I left anyone out? They were all good.

Nothing here is really inappropriate for young kids, but I would be concerned about how some kids handle the life-threatening situations. It's pretty scary. But the way everyone handles what could have been disasters is nothing short of amazing. You know in a kids' movie things will have to work out. Will the family make it through? You know they will have to.

It's a Christmas miracle that everything worked out. A wonderful and inspiring experience for the whole family, with real messages of faith.