Jolene Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
A life between the exit signs
A teenage orphan spends ten years traveling cross-country experiencing life, love and heartbreak. Based on E.L. Doctorow's story, "Jolene: A Life."
| Jessica Chastain | Jolene |
| Dermot Mulroney | Uncle Phil |
| Chazz Palminteri | Sal |
| Rupert Friend | Coco Leger |
| Michael Vartan | Brad |
| Denise Richards | Marin |
| Theresa Russell | Aunt Kay |
| Stephanie Likes | Kendra |
| Jennifer Pfalzgraff | Maya |
| Jose Rosete | Sid |
| John Dobradenka | Legal Aid Lawyer |
| Anna Kehmeier | Party Guest |
| Ronald Axell | Party scenes, participant |
| Douglas L. Cook | Mental hospital orderly |
| Dan Ireland |
6.80 out of 10 (166 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Candy done right
posted on 25 Jul 2009I recently saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Based on the novel Jolene: A Life by E.L Doctorow and directed by Dan Ireland this film takes through the experiences, marriages and loves of Jolene beginning at age 15 when she is a child bride after living in foster homes in a childhood of abuse and takes us through a series of abuse full and exploitive relationships. Lots of interesting characters that we meet briefly along the way including performances by such noted actors as Theresa Russell, Denise Richards, Rupert Friend and Chazz Palminteri. Jessica Chastain is clearly the star in her debut role in a feature film. She's fantastic and really makes what might otherwise be an ordinary made-for-TV Lifetime or Hallmark type movie. Dan Ireland directs with wonderful photography by veteran cinematographer Claudio Rocha. Chastain is in virtually every scene and she looks like she may be a star on the rise. She also tells the story in narration as the different chapters of her young life are presented. Director Ireland was at my screening for an audience Q&A. I would give this an 8.0 out of 10 and recommend it.
Jolene shines at the Seattle Film Fest
posted on 03 Jul 2009Of all the films I saw at the 2008 Seattle International Film Fest, "Jolene" is the one that stayed with me. Jessica Chastain gives a multi layered, complex, superlative performance as the title character. A girl drifting through her life looking for love in all the wrong places. The film stays away from sentimental payoffs giving it a very distinctive tone. Are we suppose to sympathize with Jolene? Dan Ireland, the director, leaves that to us in another honest and wonderful tale of longing and hope. From Rene Zellwegger in "The Whole Wide World" to Joan Plowright in "Mrs Palfrey At The Claremont" Dan Ireland has shown a remarkable flair to bring out the best on his female characters and more. Frances Fisher gives an Academy Award worthy performance in a part so far away from anything I've ever seen her do that it took me a while to realize it was her. Michael Vartan, Dermot Mulroney, Chazz Palmintieri and in particular Rupert Friend give vivid, powerful performances. "Jolene" is unique in a year of sequels and TV adaptations. I can't wait to see it again. Congratulations Mr. Ireland and thank you for your passionated and coherent commitment to the independent soul.
Queen Jolene
posted on 13 Jun 2009I saw Jolene at its world premier last night during the Seattle International Film Festival. The story is charming and the two plus hour film moves along without faltering. Newcomer Jessica Chastain is both beautiful and talented and portrays an ever-optimistic Jolene with the skill of a seasoned actor. The supporting cast includes well-known stars Frances Fisher, Chazz Palminteri, Dermot Mulroney, and Theresa Russell, but your eyes never leave Chastain.The director is Dan Ireland, co-founder of the Seattle International Film Festival, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S. Ireland's earlier movies include The Whole Wide World and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. Great work, Dan! I hope everyone comes out to see Jolene.
A Star Is Born
posted on 12 May 2009Jessica Chastain gives one of those performances that make history in this wonderful Dan Ireland film based on a short story by Doctorow. She goes through a life of radical changes, so much so that it could be considered a multi character study if not for the amazing truth in Chastain's portrayal. The exteriors may change and circumstances may appear diametrically opposite but at its very center she's the same girl we met at the beginning, never ever betraying that spirit or that thirst for life. Like in Dan Ireland's "The Whole Wide World", that launched the career of Rene Zellwegger, "Jolene" may do the same for Jessica Chastain. I don't think I'll see a better performance this year.
A film with no plot.
posted on 08 Apr 2009After seeing this film at it's world premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival I have to report that I am very disappointed. This is a truly awful movie. There is no plot or overall story to the film. It is just about Jolene travelling around the country going from guy to guy. She learns nothing about her experiences and leaves us feeling absolutely no sympathy towards her character whatsoever, in fact our lack of sympathy for her comes very early on in the movie and lasts for the entire duration despite one attempt near the end which seems very rushed and forced. As Joelene moves on in her journey she comes across numerous characters and different situations, each of these situations being the same as the last one and leaving us wondering if this film is actually going to go anywhere or not, or if a plot or story is going to unfold at some point. The makers of this film had access to a great cast. I've seen these actors shine in other movies which makes it even more shocking to me that they decided to take a part in this film, none of the roles did the actors talents any justice. The script is terrible and feels like it has been written by someone who has not experienced real life. The dialogue is very simplistic and the characters and situations seem very cliché. I've seen these same characters and same events in other films, but done much better. There is nothing unique about any of it. The wardrobe, set dressing and makeup also seems to be very amateur, camp and over dramatic. One character in particular, 'Coco' has been made to look exactly like Johnny Depp, reminiscent of the way Depp looked in his early years, which is very cringe making. The actor playing Coco also looked very much like Orlando Bloom and so I spent much of his screen time trying to decide whether it was him or not, due to the actor's bad accent which got me thinking 'Is this Orlando Bloom trying to do an American accent?', however I was wrong, it wasn't Bloom. The actress playing Jolene wasn't that bad and I would like to see her in more films, however the script and directing could not save her on this occasion. I would like to see what she could do with a solid script and a better director. There was absolutely no flare from the director, it was very conventional and safe movie making. The script was bad, but the director could have made something a lot better out of it, unfortunately he failed to do so. I know this film was based on a book, but I am judging this movie by itself and I am afraid that it falls very short. If you are looking for an entertaining movie which will take you on a journey, this is not the film for you. I've seen these characters and scenarios before. It's like 'Forest Gump' with a woman, and done badly. This has TV Movie written all over it.
Sweet and charming with darker overtones.
posted on 06 Aug 2009Think "Monster" but much more lighthearted and charming. I watched this movie with neither preconception nor hype; in fact I almost overlooked it. From the opening scenes I even imagined it may be a comedy and it does indeed contain many amusing moments that naturally emerge from the story and bring a smile to the face. Darker moments sober the viewer throughout but the narrative fails to linger long enough to bring the mood down, and despite the trials and tribulations, the overall feeling of the movie, like Jolene herself, is quite upbeat. It's hard to find much fault with "Jolene"; it is what it is. Unfortunately, what it's not is an hour longer. I could have easily sat through more in the hope of a more conclusive ending or just to see where the road might take her next. However, Jolene's erratic journey through life is ongoing and the lack of a Hollywood finale serves this movie well. If you're bored of blockbuster bombardment then "Jolene" could well provide a refreshing antidote.