Patsy & Loretta (2019 Lifetime)

Patsy & Loretta (2019 Lifetime)

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Synopsis (via Lifetime)

Based on the untold true story of the friendship between two of country music’s greatest icons, Patsy Cline (Megan Hilty) and Loretta Lynn (Jessie Mueller). When they first met, Patsy was already one of the biggest stars in country music while Loretta was just a coal miner’s daughter, starting off with little to her name but a $17 guitar. Instead of seeing Loretta as competition, Patsy took Loretta under her wings to help her make it in Nashville. Soon, they became close friends, touring together, bonding over their husband troubles and commiserating on being females in the male-dominated music business. Then in 1963, the country music community was struck with a tragedy when at just age 30, Patsy died in a plane crash. Despite the devasting loss of her friend, Loretta continued on in the industry and is today, known as the First Lady of Country Music. To this day, Loretta remains grateful to Patsy for her mentorship and above all, friendship, as the country music trailblazer that paved the way for Loretta.

Thoughts

Lifetime is toting this movie as “The Lifetime Movie Event of the Year.” Really? The year?

The movie starts with a young Patsy Cline spinning around while her mom calls her in for supper. (I’m assuming.) Then we cut to 1957. Patsy Cline is in a country music band and is struggling to make a record. She doesn’t want to record “Walking” and wants to sing country music. Loretta is building a home running around chasing kids and cooking dinner for her husband, Doo.

Patsy gets on a radio show and has to sing “Walking” because her other music is too hick, according to the producer. Megan Hilty sings the entire song, as is to be expected. (She is decent.) Loretta Lynn listens to the radio station and wants to sing even more. Her kids encourage her to sing. Loretta starts playing in bars while Doo flirts with girls instead of paying attention to her, literally singing about him. She tells him not to leave her until their kids are grown. Loretta Lynn finds success with “Honky Tonk Girl” and plays the Grand Old Opry.

It has been two years since Patsy Cline’s last hit single, and she is working on getting another hit. She gets one, but not the kind she is looking for. She gets hit head-on in a car crash. In the hospital, Patsy learns that she has a crossover hit on her hands with “I Fall to Pieces” Loretta sends Patsy a tribute performance on the radio. Patsy hears the song and sends her husband, Charlie Dick, to invite Loretta to her hospital room.

In the hospital, Loretta brings flowers, and Patsy thanks her for the tribute. Patsy can see that Loretta needs some guidance on being an independent lady! Loretta does what her husband wants her to do. Patsy wants Loretta to do what she wants to do. Patsy has already been through a divorce and always wanted to grow up signing. They sneak out of the hospital to get some good food, and then they talk about Loretta’s new contract and blowjobs.

Doo is not happy about Loretta spending time away from the house. He is abusive and aggressive with her.

Loretta and Patsy go to one of Loretta’s shows where the manager is trying to swindle her. Patsy, again, comes to her rescue and tells the manager to pay her in cash before she even steps foot on stage. Later, she also gives Loretta a new stage outfit. (Oh, and some advice on not letting your husband take advantage of you when he is drunk. Wow, Doo is the worst!)

Patsy has all the country women musicians over to her dream house. Dottie West & June Carter is over just chillin?!?! After the party, Loretta and Patsy hang out in a hammock and talk about their relationships. Loretta tells Patsy that she is always going about her relationship problems, Patsy can open up to her if she wants to.

Loretta goes out on tour and writes letters to Patsy while she is away. She continues to fight with Doo, and he thinks she is cheating on him. They argue so bad that she knocks his two front teeth out with a phone. Patsy books a residency in Vegas, and Loretta is very happy for her friend, but sad they won’t see each other for so long. Doo, who is very drunk at the dinner where Patsy breaks the news, gets jealous and angry. He throws beer bottles against the wall and creates a scene. (Now would be a good time to mention that they never divorced and Loretta stayed with him till his death in 1996.)

The Vegas redundancy is NOT like Britney Spears. The audience is barely paying attention to Patsy singer her little heart out. Patsy feels lonely and embarrassed that these shows are not artistically satisfying. She calls Loretta to vent and cry. Patsy also tells Loretta she is excited because Randy got his pilot license and a jet, so they can fly home and see her family more often, that is, if it doesn’t crash… she morbidly jokes.

Loretta isn’t the only one in an abusive relationship. Charlie quit working and feels emasculated. He and Patsy get into an argument, and he hits her. Patsy preps divorce papers. At a music event, Loretta notices the bruise, and Patsy fills her in. This movie should be called Patsy and Loretta talk about things, and we never see things happen.

Loretta is pregnant again. She doesn’t know if she can take missing her kids and a baby. The pregnancy spawns a fight because Patsy takes it personally and is offended. She storms off, and Loretta runs after her. Patsy feels like she is always on the edge of failure, and Loretta just fell into success. Loretta just wants Patsy to TALK TO HER! (If I have to sit through another conversation with these two. Lord, help me.)

Patsy leaves her family to work again. It is hard for her, and Megan Hilty cries through her mascara. Megan Hilty finally sings, “Crazy.” Which is what we are all here for. Patsy is heading home in her jet. It is a rainy day, but she looks fabulous while getting on the plane. It is this flight that is the famous flight that killed everyone on board.

Loretta attends the funeral and helps care for Patsy’s family. She writes a song for Patsy called “This Haunted House” Doo is supportive and sympathetic during this time of mourning. Loretta finds out she is pregnant again and cries. She remembers what Patsy would have said in the situation and laughs.

The movie ends with Loretta and Patsy singing “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” (Patsy and Loretta never really performed together; it is a Mandela Effect.)

We see Patsy twirling around again as mom calls her in for supper. It isn’t a little Patsy Cline. It is Loretta’s daughter who is Patsy Cline namesake. Kind of touched by that ending.

Side Note

Minority Report: A Nurse

THE WIGS IN THIS MOVIE WERE TERRIBLE.

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Overall rating

🤠🤠 (2 Cowboys)

🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine required)