Blue Valley Songbird (1999)

A 40 something country singer (Dolly Parton) is still struggling to make it into the big time. But she's under the thumb of her controlling manager and lover (John Terry), who goes as far as sabotaging her career to keep her under his control. She must also deal with the death of her father (Bob Morrison), who was also a controlling and abusive man and the mother (Peggy Walton Walker) who looked the other way. Directed by Richard A. Colla (THE UFO INCIDENT). As an iconic country music star, Dolly Parton's acting career has been pretty much restricted to comedies and this drama allows her a rare dramatic role. She tones down the make up and sexy costumes and even darkens her blonde hair to a light redhead. While she'll never be a Streep as an actress, the role is well within her range and she acquits herself admirably. The movie allows her to sing nine songs and one of them, Wildflowers, is a beauty. I could say this is for Dolly Parton fans only but then again, who isn't? With Beth Grant and Billy Dean.