A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Educational Value
very little
The movie intends to entertain rather than to educate, but there are strong themes about love, integrity, and gratitude.
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Positive Messages
a lot
Strong themes about gratitude, integrity, family, faith, and the enduring nature of love. Dolly's family lets adversity draw them closer together rather than tearing them apart, and Christian values guide how they live. Emotional scenes involving the loss of a baby and depression. Bullies torment classmates, teasing and physically intimidating them.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Dolly's parents set wonderful examples for their children, putting a premium on hard work, honesty, and strong family values. Even though they have different views on faith, both come to find strength in the concept of a higher power, inspiring Dolly to lead others by her example as well.
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Violence & Scariness
very little
Incidents are implied more often than they're shown. A fistfight that leaves a girl with a bloody lip; Dolly's mom spanks her for using strong language; and a teacher smacks her hands with a ruler as punishment for an infraction (it's not shown, but it's audible, and Dolly shows her swollen hands later). Her father plans to whip her with a belt before changing his mind. A young girl holds a knife while kids talk about exacting revenge on a school bully.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
none
A married couple snuggles after having sex (the act isn't shown), and there's mention of physical contact causing a couple to be "in a family way."
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Language
a little
"Hell" and "damn" are heard numerous times. Also name-calling like "yellow-bellied."
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Products & Purchases
none
The movie is inspired by Dolly Parton's song "Coat of Many Colors," which can be heard at various points throughout the story.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Dolly's father smokes a lot, which was normal for the time, and there's discussion of his drinking moonshine.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors is a heartwarming autobiographical movie set during the celebrated actress-singer's childhood. Christian values, Biblical stories, faith, and prayer are central to the story and account for how Dolly's family recovers from tragedy. There are many emotional scenes in which the characters cope with grief and depression, including a very poignant one about an infant's death. Kids may not fully understand some aspects of Dolly's mid-century upbringing, so be prepared to explain things like physical punishment (spanking, slapping hands with a ruler, etc.), the prevalence of smoking, and the family's financial hardships. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
What's the Story?
DOLLY PARTON'S COAT OF MANY COLORS opens in 1955 with 9-year-old Dolly (Alyvia Alyn Lind) already full of big dreams about being a star someday. With the voice of an angel and an incorrigible spirit, Dolly knows she's destined for a future far away from her humble beginnings in Sevier County, Tennessee, but for now, the family farm and the love of her parents (Jennifer Nettles and Ricky Schroder) is all she needs. But then tragedy strikes and threatens her mother's steadfast faith in God, pulling the family apart and casting doubt into Dolly as well. Her mother slowly pieces her life back together as she creates a patchwork coat for Dolly, which leads to lessons in compassion and appreciation and eventually reaffirms the family's faith.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the similarities and differences between life during Dolly's childhood and now. How did families entertain themselves before modern inventions like TV? Why were large families like the one in Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors common?
What accounts for the Parton family's closeness? How does their faith unify them? Does your family have any faith-based traditions? How do they account for your value system?
Kids: Is it sometimes difficult to appreciate what you have when you compare it to others' possessions? How do you deal with jealousy? How does helping others change your perspective on what's really important in life?
How do the characters in Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors demonstrate gratitude and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 3, 2016
- Cast: Jennifer Nettles, Rick Schroder, Gerald McRaney, Alyvia Alyn Lind
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Great Girl Role Models, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Gratitude, Integrity
- Run time: 180 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: May 16, 2024
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