E.L. Doctrow’s “Jolene: A Life” is a short story, not a novel, that first appeared in The New Yorker in 2002. Doctrow’s story was inspired by the song Dolly Parton released in 1973 and both story and film track Parton’s lyrics quite faithfully. Chastain herself has discussed listening to the White Stripes cover of Parton’s song in preparation for the role.

Regarding Mama, it has a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which you mention as your criteria for its success. Is that a passing grade in your local school system? Maybe it’s the “millions upon millions” you mention the film making (69 to be exact). The Expendables 2 made 85 million. Does that make it a better picture than Mama in your book?

And finally, have you *seen* Mama?

I thought the writer was rather respectful and fairly positive about Chastain’s nascent oeurve. Unlike other film critics, he certainly stopped short of calling Mama Chastain’s Norbit, the film that cost Eddie Murphy his best supporting Oscar for Dreamgirls in 2007. I will concede one point about Chastain, her “beauty is beyond compare with flaming locks of auburn hair.” Oh, and that quote, BTW, is Parton’s.

“Jolene” was based on an E.L. Doctorow novel, not the Dolly Parton song. Although the film didn’t make any money, it hardly cost anything, and it has made money through cable and DVD sales–particularly during the past two years.

Chastain’s “Mama” has exceeded box office expections and is millions upon millions into profits, since it only cost $15 million to make. Also, it has received generally good reviews–fresh at rottentomatoes.com, and her reviews in particular are stellar. This is no “Gothika.” The industry knows the difference between a genre movie that makes millions and a critical and financial bomb like “Gothika.” So stop manufacturing a negative when Chastain’s career is nothing but positive at the moment.