Really Surprised!

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Recently my family watched Dolly Parton's stupendous "Coat of Many Colors" and though I have long been a fan of her music and movies, I felt she/her company have crafted one of the best God-honoring films ever offered on national television! There were parts I am not ashamed to tell you that made this grown man tear up a little. Everyone in the movie is excellent and values such as forgiveness, love, faith during difficult and joyous times (perseverance), and the power of redemption, abiding faith in God, and the focused love of family that is centered upon surrendering ultimately not to one another but to God Almighty - all came shining through this wonderful film. Years ago I reached one of Dolly Parton's songwriters almost by accident on the phone when seeking permission to seek on of her songs "Make Love Work" in church. I was given permission and sang the song subsequently. That Sunday I left church and (riding high on the words that suggested "...we've got to try a little bit harder to make love work") - briefly reunited with my own estranged parents. I mention this as I recalled the occasion and singing the song while watching the story of Dolly's family and their strong faith and her God-given talents in "Coat of Many Colors". To all who were involved in this film - it will long remain with me and my entire family was grateful to see a true gem that sparkled on national TV with the values we hold most dear to us - especially the one that holds a vital faith in God focused clearly right up front. Thank you for all those involved....and Dolly...May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory. I hope you make Part 2 soon and share more of your life and faith. Terrific scenery/sets, acting, plot, dialogue, and a clear Godly focus made this movie terrific. It truly blessed my family. Thanks Dolly (and others).

Let me first start by saying that now days its really hard to find a family movie that can be free of sexual scenes, profanity language that at the same time can be entertaining. I enjoyed this movie from start to finish.My family ages, 43, 39, 7,14 watched this movie together and would watch it again. The movie is not about how Dolly got famous, but more about redemption, love and how Dolly's family despite being very poor had it all ( love, GOD, faith, moral).It leaves a strong message and cannot wait to see it again on Christmas day, as it was announced it was a hit with 13 million viewers nationwide.

At the start of the movie, young Dolly walks into church with her guitar ... and enough makeup on her face to be accused of looking like a harlot. The start of a lifelong tradition.Alyvia Alyn Lind does a great job as this somewhat naughty and rebellious girl who is basically good and has a strong faith. But she's not the best actor in the movie. More on that in a minute. Lind makes us like her and convinces us she will be someone famous, although we already knew she would be. She goes through so many trials, including bullying and the loss of a sibling she was going to take care of and love. But while her faith is challenged, she shows us the true meaning of her faith. Plus she can sing.Regardless of what I think of Jennifer Nettles' music, as an actress I predict she will get an Emmy nomination. She is so kind and loving, though she must also be so depressed she thinks life can't continue. And then she picks herself up and moves on with life, even with all the trails and tribulations. She is not the serious, strict parent I was expecting, and yet she holds that family together. And while she doesn't have all her facts right, Avie Lee is a strong believer and like Dolly, delivers a meaningful message of faith. Oh, and she can sing too. And it's the good kind of country music too.Rick Schroder isn't quite the father I would have expected. He has his moments and does a good job overall, but he seems kind of weak in the presence of Dolly's stern but loving father. He somehow seems secondary to his wife in holding the family together. Still, Robert Lee is challenged by adversity and can't believe in the same way his family wants him to.Gerald McRaney does his usual fine job as the stern but loving preacher father who has never quite accepted Robert Lee. But he's trying.Mary Lane Haskell gives us a capable and caring teacher.There are plenty of other good performances from the kids. The bullies may not be bad people but may just need love.Is it squeaky clean? Of course not, but what would you expect from this tough family? There are several curse words but this is probably still fine for the kids. The sex-related talk will probably go over kids heads but they might ask questions. Still, this is quite family-friendly.It's a wonderful effort overall.

I am not a big country music fan and I've never been a particular fan of Dolly Parton although I have always enjoyed seeing her in interviews. I never knew her story and this TV movie covers it.Overall a very nice movie although I wish I could have seen it without the breaks for commercials. Some will be turned off for its religious theme but that is part of her story and it is presented well. Set in the 1950s when Dolly was a young girl, perhaps 10.The title is also the title of a song she wrote, which was released in 1971. It is both a reference to the biblical Joseph and his coat of many colors, plus the coat that Dolly's mom sewed for her. A patchwork coat it had many bright colors. Alyvia Alyn Lind, daughter of actors, is very appropriate as the young Dolly Parton. But to me the real star is non-actress Jennifer Nettles, country singer, as the mom, Avie Lee Parton. They had many children and after losing a son just after birth she went into a deep funk. When she broke out of it she started singing again and Nettles has a beautiful voice. And she shows us that as a first- timer she is a natural actress.Old reliable Rick Schroder is the dad, Robert Lee Parton, always standing outside church on Sundays, reluctant to actually go it. And old reliable Gerald McRaney is the grandpa and also the local preacher Rev. Jake Owens.The movie only covers a short time in Parton's life, part of a year, but it shows where she came from and how she received her influences.