A teenage orphan spends ten years traveling cross-country experiencing life, love and heartbreak. Based on E.L. Doctorow's story, "Jolene: A Life."
Director:
Dan Ireland
From metacritic.com
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Title: Jolene (2008)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jessica Chastain | ... | Jolene | |
| Frances Fisher | ... | Cindy | |
| Rupert Friend | ... | Coco Leger | |
| Dermot Mulroney | ... | Uncle Phil | |
 |
Zeb Newman | ... | Mickey |
| Chazz Palminteri | ... | Sal Fontaine | |
| Denise Richards | ... | Marin | |
| Theresa Russell | ... | Aunt Kay | |
| Michael Vartan | ... | Brad | |
| Shannon Whirry | ... | Teacher | |
|
|
Drea Pruseau | ... | Nurse |
| Mickey Cottrell | ... | Dr. Bloomberg | |
|
|
Mary Jane Johnson | ... | Mrs. Ames |
|
|
Bri Acsani | ... | Suicide Girl |
|
|
Julie Sledge | ... | Girl in Hospital |
Jolene is a red-haired wanderer who isn't content to call one place home for any expended stretch of time. Setting off to explore the outside world at age fifteen, the free-spirited teen embarks on a decade-long cross-country of adventure which finds her crossing the paths of everyone from a firebrand Texan who steals her heart and destroys her marriage to his wealthy fundamentalist, Brad to an ex-mobster, Sal Fontaine attempting to make good in Las Vegas. Written by Jason Buchanan
Jessica 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.