Coal Miner's Daughter

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Coal Miner's Daughter

PG

1980

2h 4m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Raised in rural Kentucky poverty and married at the age of 13, Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) begins writing and singing her own country songs in her early 20s. With the tireless help of her husband Oliver "Mooney" Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones), Loretta rises from local honky-tonks and small-time record deals to national tours and hit singles, befriending her idol Patsy Cline (Beverly D'Angelo) and becoming a country music icon despite the toll stardom takes on her family and her marriage.

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Critics Consensus

Like a classic traditional country song, Coal Miner's Daughter draws on time-tested formula -- and undeniable talent -- to tell a solidly affecting story.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Apr 7, 2022

We don't so much root for Spacek as sit back and watch her tell us what happened. She's as much in control of this film as is her director.

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Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

Apr 7, 2022

3.5/4

Fortunately, Spacek and Jones are able to make up for the superficiality of the script. Spacek, who does all her own singing in a clear voice that is, at times, more affecting than that of Lynn herself, does one of her magical character transformations.

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Lynn Van Matre

Chicago Tribune

Apr 7, 2022

3/4

The first part of the film is by far the most moving, and is almost continually captivating in terms of scenarios and backwoods settings.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Mar 17, 2025

5/10

There isn’t even close to a tear-jerker scene to be found, which tends to be a staple of these types of biographies, preventing it from having much resonance.

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

May 11, 2023

3/4

Coal Miner’s Daughter sugarcoats nothing, proffering a warts-and-all behind-the-scenes look at a union that was romanticized by the media.

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Oct 21, 2022

Unfortunately the back half of the film is rushed and overstuffed.

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Rhonda P.

@RT21404105 Apr 17, 2026

I love this movie is my all-time favorite and Loretta Lynn is melting favorite singer she's amazing and I love the love story in it

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Carlos I

@carlosFibarra Feb 9, 2026

Sissy Spacek doesn’t just play Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter; she completely inhabits her, delivering a transformative, Oscar-winning performance that serves as the film's beating heart. While the narrative follows the "rags-to-riches" blueprint common to music biopics, the execution is exceptionally soulful, grounded by a gritty, authentic atmosphere that captures the hardships of Appalachian life. It manages to be both a tender character study and a rousing success story, making for a deeply satisfying watch that transcends the tropes of the genre through sheer emotional honesty and stellar chemistry between Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Aug 14, 2025

Success in 2 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Feb 19, 2025

The Loretta Lynn biopic is generally a feel good picture which is grounded by the excellent performances and chemistry between Tommy and Sissy. Country music isn’t my thing but you can’t help but enjoy the determination and innocence of the leading couple and their eventful journey to the top. Watched on DVD.

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Mike P

@RT09890132 Jan 31, 2025

Excellent musical biopic featuring a stellar performance by Spacek who carries the film. I loved it.

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KB B

@Okbullard Jun 14, 2024

This was such an enjoyable film with great acting and storyline. Sissy Spacek was exceptional partly because she did her own singing and guitar playing. It's definitely worth the watch.

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Michael Apted

Director

Sissy Spacek

Loretta Lynn

Tommy Lee Jones

Doolittle Lynn

Beverly D'Angelo

Patsy Cline

Levon Helm

Ted Webb

Phyllis Boyens

"Clary" Webb

Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - I'm a Honky Tonk Girl... and a Bar Fight

2:58

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Loretta Lynne Records Honky Tonk Girl

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Beverly D'Angelo Sings "Sweet Dreams"

1:22

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Loretta Lynn Meets Patsy Cline

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Sissy Spacek Sings "Sweet Dreams of You"

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Coal Miner's Daughter

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Angry at the Radio Station

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Loretta Lynn Faints on Stage

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Coal Miner's Daughter: Official Clip - Sissy Spacek Sings "There He Goes"

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Synopsis

Raised in rural Kentucky poverty and married at the age of 13, Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) begins writing and singing her own country songs in her early 20s. With the tireless help of her husband Oliver "Mooney" Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones), Loretta rises from local honky-tonks and small-time record deals to national tours and hit singles, befriending her idol Patsy Cline (Beverly D'Angelo) and becoming a country music icon despite the toll stardom takes on her family and her marriage.

Director: Michael Apted
Producer: Bernard Schwartz, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter: Thomas Rickman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 2h 4m

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