DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS: CIRCLE OF LOVE

DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS:  CIRCLE OF LOVE is a follow up to the MOVIEGUIDE(r) Epiphany Prize winning TV movie COAT OF MANY COLORS about Dolly Parton’s childhood, which broke records when it premiered in 2015 on NBC.

Dolly’s father, Lee, who’s now a Christian, is trying his best to be a good husband, father and man of God. When Lee sees his wife, Avie, eyeing a ring at the shop, he becomes determined to find a way to buy it for her.

Meanwhile, Dolly desperately wants to play the Virgin Mary in the church’s Nativity play. After much praying, she finally gets her opportunity to be the star. However, she she puts her friendship with her friend, Judy, in jeopardy when she convinces the teacher to cast Judy as the Angel instead of the donkey, the role Judy wanted so she could be out of the limelight.

All the children decide to give up getting Christmas presents so that Mama can get the ring. In addition, the children start earning extra money to help buy it. While playing and singing on the street, Dolly befriends a lady in red (played by the real Dolly Parton), who encourages her, but the friendly woman is chased away by a storeowner, implying she’s a prostitute.

Lee makes a decision that to earn money, he needs to work in the dangerous mines. However, this worries his wife, especially after she’s had a vision of her children freezing and starving to death in their little cabin, something she’s convinced may come true.

As Lee works in the mines, a blizzard hits the family farm and puts their lives in jeopardy. At the same time, the mine Lee’s working in collapses.

Will the family be able to reunite, or even survive, for Christmas?

CIRCLE OF LOVE is a delightful TV program. Though the storytelling is bumpy at times, the acting is top notch, especially by Movieguide® Award winning Alyvia Lind as young Dolly Parton. While the jeopardy and stakes are stronger in this episode, the characters emotional conflict isn’t nearly as powerful. Also, the inclusion of Dolly Parton as The Painted Lady, who befriends young Dolly is just confusing, with no clear indication of whether she’s really a prostitute or actually an angel in disguise.

Even so, the program’s message of sacrifice for your loved ones, acceptance of one another, and forgiveness of those, who have wronged you is strong. Even better, everything is wrapped in a message of Christian faith. The story focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ. Also, it puts the Gospel front and center. It’s rare you see such an overt representation of faith on Network TV.

DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS:  CIRCLE OF LOVE is a breath of fresh air. It’s almost a perfect program to get viewers and their families in the Christmas spirit.