Jolene

Jolene follows a teenage orphan who leaves the world she knows and spends ten years on the road in search of experience rather than security. The film moves across small towns, crowded diners, and open highways, showing how independence slowly reshapes her identity. Along the way she forms tentative connections that test her beliefs about love, loyalty, and what it means to belong. The narrative pieces together scenes of hardship, fragile friendships, and small triumphs, painting a portrait of someone who learns to read her own wants in a world that rarely slows down. By collecting these moments, Jolene sketches a personal map of resilience and self discovery without tying her story to a single dramatic turning point.

Released in 2010, Jolene was directed by Dan Ireland and stars Jessica Chastain in the title role. The film draws on material from E L Doctorow and Dennis Yares.

The film's reception was modest, with critics noting Chastain's restrained performance and the movie's intimate focus on growth. Themes center on independence, memory, and the costs of choosing a life away from family and home. The tone stays reflective rather than flashy.

Box office figures for Jolene are not widely reported, reflecting its limited release and modest commercial footprint, making worldwide grosses difficult to verify.