For the Love of Dolly (2006) User Reviews

Smart, entertaining and surprisingly poignant

[jenniolson · 8/10 · 3 August 2006]

I got to see For The Love of Dolly at Outfest last month and really loved it. The film offers a super in-depth look at five of Dolly Parton's most enthusiastic and passionate fans. A developmentally disabled young man whose Dolly-obsession is positively inspiring; a pair of straight women who have bonded over their love of Dolly; and a gay couple whose house is packed to the rafters with Dollybilia.

What's most amazing about the film is that although we get the sense that these fans are practically over-the-top (like near-wacko) in their fanaticism, the filmmakers are so respectful of them that we as viewers are able to experience how meaningful their connection to Dolly really is, rather than just dismiss them as nuts. The fans are amazing in their vulnerability and how much they reveal of themselves, and the film ultimately conveys a real sense of dignity to what could have been just a humiliating showcase.

A really wonderful film, even for non-Dolly fans!

Amazing insight into the world of fandom

[grassrootsfilm · 10/10 · 12 December 2008]

This is an incredibly honest look at the most hardcore of fans. The film outlines 3 types of fans which I have seen in my own experience growing up in an entertainment family. There are the sweetest, most loving people on earth: the mentally disabled. The film shows how Dolly is such a positive force in people's lives (including the mentally disabled) and bring them happiness. Then there are the ardent, relatively obsessive, almost fetishist fans. The gay men in the film are an example of how being a fan is almost a lifestyle and at least can be a lifetime hobby. Then there are the fans that seem to be on the border of frightful in their obsession. The two women who bond over Dolly seem to border on insanity through their devotion to Dolly. These are the fans that celebrities pray don't kill themselves in their driveway a la Paula Abdul's stalker. I love this documentary because it is simply fascinating.

Definitely Recommend

[misce_mail · 10/10 · 31 July 2009]

Overall it was a great movie, especially as it portrayed Dollys love for her fans. I could relate the most to Melisas story. I read a few other reviews online that took some of her statements out of context and called her "extreme", which I disagree with. I think Melisa was someone that needed a way to cope with unfortunate circumstances in her life, and I really believe that it helped her. I think this film focused quite a bit on this element for each person, which is a big part of why this movie is so great(besides Dolly herself).

It points out the influence of Dollys life on just 4 people, and this in itself makes a hugely positive statement about Dolly Parton. It is also food for thought in how we can impact each other.

In some ways I felt that some of the music choices (especially toward the end) cast a bit of a "weird" tone or feel to it, as if that was how we were to interpret the actions of some of the people in the segment. Not saying that this was the intent, but for me this was the outcome.

Overall I would highly recommend this film to any Dolly fan.