1h 32min | Drama, Musical | TV Movie 1 November 1999
A popular Nashville performer wants national recognition, but is hampered by her controlling boy friend and manager, and events from her past.
Director: Richard A. Colla
Stars: Dolly Parton, John Terry, Billy Dean.
Watched online, mediocre print.
8 songs in the Soundtracks, with 6 Written and Performed by Dolly Parton, half of them also featuring Billy Dean.
Without DP, this would have been a 5.
We learn she had an abused childhood, although seems mostly mental abuse to her, with physical abuse for her mother. Her father only let her sing while locked in a room with her. So the mother gets her out (at age 15 according to the song) to live with a traveling singing family who perform in their church.
As an adult, she's just making a living performing live. Apparently she had a run-in with a record producer early on. (And why are there other record producers?) Her band manager wants to keep her on the small-time performing circuit, but a scout interferes. Meanwhile a new band member attracts her away from the romantic relationship with the manager, causing plenty of conflict. He also writes songs, and seems to make her sound better and inspires her to write more.
Fortunately the owner of a bar where she performs frequently intercedes and gets the record producer to audition her, and we get a tentatively happy ending.
Rated 6.2 (257)
distr. Lifetime TV, dir. Colla; 6
