The main contribution traceable directly from Loretta Lynn to the movie on her life -- besides, of course, her having lived it and then recounted it in that bastard literary form, the as-told-to autobiography -- is simply her felt presence looking over the collective shoulder of the moviemakers. This queenly presence has evidently put them on their guard and on their best behavior, as they resist all temptation to editorialize about either the hard life of the Appalachian coal country or the fast life of the country music concert circuit. Brilliant performances by Sissy Spacek who plays (and sings) the Loretta Lynn part, Levon Helm and Phyllis Boyens as her parents, Tommy Lee Jones as her husband, and, brightest of the bright, Beverly D'Angelo as Patsy Cline. Written by Tom Rickman; directed by Michael Apted. (1980) — Duncan Shepherd
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