Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors a Warm, Comfy Fit

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Submitted by RJ Carter on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 19:23

Dolly Parton Coat Many Colors DVD Television Broadcast

When I first saw Dolly Parton's COAT OF MANY COLORS in its broadcast debut, I only heard one thing: "When this comes to DVD, you're getting it for me." I imagine this was something many husbands heard from their wives. And, unlike almost every other time I hear this statment, this was a time I didn't mind at all.

This heartwarming -- and heartbreaking -- biopic features Olyvia Alyn Lind as a young Dolly, playing the roll with all the spitfire energy and feisty verve the real Dolly has exuded all her life.

Through her eyes we see how it was for a large family growing up in the mountains of Tennessee. Ricky Schroder plays Dolly's father, Robert Lee Parton, a tobacco farmer struggling against drought. Jennifer Nettles is matriarch Avie, a preacher's daughter holding everything together with faith and song. But when she miscarries, the impact on the entire threatens to shatter that faith, and serves to drive a wedge between her and Robert.

In addition to the family tragedy, Dolly and her siblings are dealing with bullying from another family. When Dolly goes to school wearing the new coat her mother made her from quilt scraps (initially planned for the baby blanket), it sets the stage for a tragic confrontation that also builds a lasting friendship between Dolly and the least likely person he would have picked.

In the end, there are several stories of redemption to be had: the end of the bullying problem, the end of Robert's stubbornness regarding faith, and ultimately Robert's acceptance by Avie's conservative father, Reverend Jake Owens (Gerald McRaney).

This DVD release includes two movies: the original and an alternative version. (Don't ask me what the differences are, I couldn't tell you.) The release also includes deleted scenes and two behind-the-scenes features that talk about the casting, the selection of the production facility in Georgia -- and the news that this is only one of several films to be made using Dolly Parton's music as the basis. If they're going to be anything like this one, I can't wait to see the rest.

DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS releases on DVD May 3rd.

Grade:

5.0 / 5.0