Janie Jones (film)

{{More plot|date=January 2021}}

A 13-year-old girl is abandoned by her meth-addicted former-groupie mother, after she informs Ethan Brand, an alcoholic, on-the-road, fading rock star, that Janie is his daughter, and he is not happy about it.

• Abigail Breslin as Janie Jones
• Alessandro Nivola as Ethan Brand
• Elisabeth Shue as Mary Ann Jones
• Brittany Snow as Iris
• Peter Stormare as Sloan
• Joel David Moore as Dave
• Frances Fisher as Lily Brand
• Frank Whaley as Chuck
• Rodney Eastman as Billy

David M. Rosenthal was inspired to make Janie Jones based on the experience he had meeting his daughter for the first time when she was eleven and he was thirty.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/david-rosenthal-janie-jones|title=Austin Calling|magazine=Interview|date=April 29, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101124741/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/david-rosenthal-janie-jones|archive-date=January 1, 2021|url-status=live}} Abigail Breslin got the script while filming Zombieland, and was interested in the story and its title character. Adding that, the musical aspect was initially "nerve-wracking" when it came to professionally singing and playing guitar, but soon came to like it.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/abigail-breslin-janie-jones-interview/|title=Abigail Breslin Talks Janie Jones, New Year's Eve, Animated Zambezia, and Other Upcoming Projects|last=Radish|first=Christina|website=Collider|date=October 29, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101102950/https://collider.com/abigail-breslin-janie-jones-interview/|archive-date=January 1, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/news/a7652/abigail-breslin-on-her-new-band-janie-jones-31760/|title=Abigail Breslin on her New Band & "Janie Jones"|last=Terrill|first=Ashley|magazine=Elle|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101101635/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/news/a7652/abigail-breslin-on-her-new-band-janie-jones-31760/|archive-date=January 1, 2021|url-status=live}} Alessandro Nivola was given the script after shooting Coco Before Chanel in France for four months, and found it a great departure from the previous film he worked on due to the music grabbing his interest.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/alessandro-nivola-janie-jones-redemption-interview/|title=Alessandro Nivola Talks Janie Jones and Redemption|last=Radish|first=Christina|website=Collider|date=November 1, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101095209/https://collider.com/alessandro-nivola-janie-jones-redemption-interview/|archive-date=January 1, 2021|url-status=live}} Filming began in September 2009 at Des Moines, Iowa.{{cite web|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/08/13/abigail-breslin-to-star-as-title-character-in-janie-jones-movie/|title=Abigail Breslin To Star In 'Janie Jones'|last=Carroll|first=Larry|website=MTV|date=August 13, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815165724/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/08/13/abigail-breslin-to-star-as-title-character-in-janie-jones-movie/|archive-date=August 15, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/09/08/big-movie-buzz-abigail-breslin-mira-sorvino-peter-fonda-movies-filming-in-des-moines|title=Big movie buzz: Abigail Breslin, Mira Sorvino/Peter Fonda movies filming in Des Moines|last=Ahmad|first=Sophie|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|publisher=Gannett|date=September 8, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151201144851/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/09/08/big-movie-buzz-abigail-breslin-mira-sorvino-peter-fonda-movies-filming-in-des-moines|archive-date=December 1, 2015|url-status=dead}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Janie Jones - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = various artists

| cover =

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|2011|10|11}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 32:31

| label = Nettwerk

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

The film's soundtrack was released on October 11, 2011{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/janie-jones-original-motion/id464524318|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209184206/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/janie-jones-original-motion/id464524318|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2014|title=Janie Jones (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists|publisher=ITunes (U.S.)|access-date=May 25, 2013}} featuring songs written by Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes and Israeli-born American Eef Barzelay. The songs on the album are performed by Abigail Breslin, Alessandro Nivola, Patrick Watson, William Fitzsimmons and Gemma Hayes.

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Hurricane

| extra1 = Abigail Breslin

| length1 = 3:08

| title2 = Find Love

| extra2 = Abigail Breslin and Alessandro Nivola

| length2 = 2:35

| title3 = Fight for Me

| extra3 = Abigail Breslin

| length3 = 3:17

| title4 = Just a Game

| extra4 = Abigail Breslin

| length4 = 2:32

| title5 = The Great Escape

| extra5 = Patrick Watson

| length5 = 3:07

| title6 = Please

| extra6 = Alessandro Nivola

| length6 = 2:28

| title7 = Never Done

| extra7 = Alessandro Nivola

| length7 = 4:09

| title8 = All at Once

| extra8 = Alessandro Nivola

| length8 = 2:35

| title9 = Even Now

| extra9 = William Fitzsimmons

| length9 = 2:53

| title10 = Waiting for You

| extra10 = Gemma Hayes

| length10 = 3:16

| title11 = House of the Rising Sun

| extra11 = Abigail Breslin

| length11 = 2:31

}}

Janie Jones premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 17, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2010/janiejones|title=2010 Films - Janie Jones|publisher=TIFF|access-date=October 21, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202104800/http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2010/janiejones|archive-date=December 2, 2010}} It was acquired by Tribeca Film after its premiere at TIFF and was screened at their festival on April 29, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/02/tribeca-film-likes-janie-jones-243684/|title=Tribeca Film Likes "Janie Jones"|last=Knegt|first=Peter|website=IndieWire|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=February 10, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102110723/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/02/tribeca-film-likes-janie-jones-243684/|archive-date=January 2, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/news-views/Download_Free_Janie_Jones_Single.html|title=Download Free Janie Jones Single|publisher=Tribeca Film|date=April 29, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119093520/http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/news-views/Download_Free_Janie_Jones_Single.html|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}} It was originally given a Summer 2011 theatrical release, as well as on video-on-demand and other platforms, but had a free screening on October 11 and was given a limited release on October 28.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribecafilm.com/news-features/FREE_Screening_of_Janie_Jones.html|title=Free Screening of Janie Jones|publisher=Tribeca Film|date=October 7, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121081555/http://www.tribecafilm.com/news-features/FREE_Screening_of_Janie_Jones.html|archive-date=January 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/10/video-oscar-nominee-abigail-belts-out-her-singing-prowess-at-janie-jones-premiere-watch-now-51421/|title=Video: Oscar Nominee Abigail Belts Out Her Singing Prowess at "Janie Jones" Premiere (Watch Now)|last=Brooks|first=Brian|website=IndieWire|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=January 1, 2021}} During its weekly run, the film grossed $3,297 from two theatres, averaging $1,648 per theater, and ranking number 103 at the box office. It garnered a total gross of $6,480 after 10 weeks of release, with a widest release of two theatres. The film was released on DVD on January 31, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/5099/Janie-Jones.html|title=Janie Jones DVD Release Date January 31, 2012|website=DVDs Release Dates|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508030823/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/5099/Janie-Jones.html|archive-date=May 8, 2021|url-status=live}}

Janie Jones garnered mixed reviews from critics. {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|56|5.4|32|access-date=December 28, 2020|ref=yes}} {{Metacritic film prose|52|16|ref=yes|access-date=September 11, 2016}}

Noel Murray of The A.V. Club gave the film a B− grade. Despite the tonal dissonance in Rosenthal's direction of his own script, he called it "one of the more realistic depictions of what the rock 'n' roll lifestyle is really like", adding that the songs written by both Barzelay and Hayes make the concert scenes "look and sound like actual alt-rock shows."{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/janie-jones-1798170183|title=Review: Janie Jones|last=Murray|first=Noel|newspaper=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|date=November 27, 2011|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115102308/https://film.avclub.com/janie-jones-1798170183|archive-date=November 15, 2019|url-status=live}} Eric Kohn of IndieWire commended Rosenthal for being able to sidestep formulaic contrivances with filmmaker's restraint and trusting his two main leads to give their characters subtly, saying that "[A]lthough not exemplary, Janie Jones at least manages to give its tired scenario a sense of legitimacy."{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/10/review-janie-jones-is-a-familiar-father-daughter-drama-with-rock-but-whats-wrong-with-that-51444/|title=REVIEW | "Janie Jones" Is a Familiar Father-Daughter Drama With Rock, But What's Wrong With That?|last=Kohn|first=Eric|website=IndieWire|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 27, 2011|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129194627/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/10/review-janie-jones-is-a-familiar-father-daughter-drama-with-rock-but-whats-wrong-with-that-51444/|archive-date=November 29, 2017|url-status=live}} Kenji Fujishima of Slant Magazine said that viewers will be able to get through the film's "panoply of clichés" and "defiantly generic, low-stakes terms" because of Nivola and Breslin's respective character portrayals, concluding that "even if Rosenthal's film is almost astoundingly unambitious, at least it's generous and warmhearted enough to be reasonably inoffensive. Oh, and the songs aren't too bad, either: bland but pleasant, much like the film itself."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/janie-jones/|title=Review: Janie Jones|last=Fujishima|first=Kenji|magazine=Slant Magazine|date=April 21, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231094217/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/janie-jones/|archive-date=December 31, 2020|url-status=live}} {{Rating|2|4}}

Ray Bennett of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that: "The film's original songs are low key, the storytelling lacks any kind of vivid insights into life on the road that have not been seen before and the outcome is signposted clearly. The production is more a promise of what the filmmaker and performers might have to offer in the future that anything likely to make a mark with audiences."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/janie-jones-film-review-249926|title=Janie Jones: Movie Review|last=Bennett|first=Ray|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 18, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908090818/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/janie-jones-film-review-249926|archive-date=September 8, 2020|url-status=live}} Tom Russo of The Boston Globe felt that Rosenthal's filmmaking didn't deliver any "sharply defined" scenes close to the opener and caused some "distractingly erratic" characterizations for his two leads due to tonal pacing, concluding that the film "would feel more assured if Rosenthal had shown more inclination to commit."{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2011/11/11/janie_jones_is_a_classic_rock_tale_of_father_and_daughter/|title=Janie Jones movie review|last=Russo|first=Tom|newspaper=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston.com|date=November 11, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231102434/http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2011/11/11/janie_jones_is_a_classic_rock_tale_of_father_and_daughter/|archive-date=December 31, 2020|url-status=live}} {{Rating|2|4}}

Breslin and Nivola both received praise for their performances. The Washington Post{{'}}s Ann Hornaday called them "a terrific mismatched pair" that can "harmonize not only figuratively but literally."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/janie-jones,1214835/critic-review.html|title=A rock-and-roll family reunion|last=Hornaday|first=Ann|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 4, 2011|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112134828/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/janie-jones,1214835/critic-review.html|archive-date=January 12, 2012|url-status=dead}} {{Rating|2.5|4}} Ian Buckwalter of NPR felt that the focus shift to its two main leads in the second half improves the film slightly, saying that "Breslin remains as charismatic and instantly likable as she was in her Oscar-nominated role in Little Miss Sunshine, and the often under-the-radar Nivola shows the makings of a star." He added that the film carries a "lightweight sweetness" due to the chemistry between them.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/10/27/141649064/janie-jones-family-harmony-takes-practice|title='Janie Jones': Family Harmony Takes Practice|last=Buckwalter|first=Ian|website=NPR|date=October 27, 2011|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506095919/https://www.npr.org/2011/10/27/141649064/janie-jones-family-harmony-takes-practice|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}} Bennett commended Nivola for having "the grizzled charm and arrogance of a rock star" but said the film's appeal rests on Breslin who displays "spirit and singing ability" in her role, saying that she gets "a sturdy peg for her ongoing growth as a film actor. While it's not likely to be a highlight in her career, it's no shame either." Russo also praised both actors' performances, saying that Nivola does "a convincingly edgy downward spiral" done by his character and Breslin portrays the title role like "a kid believably rolling with adults' bad behavior because she doesn't know how else to respond."

In a review for the Los Angeles Times, Robert Abele said that Nivola "does a serviceable job conveying a certain kind of brittle, hotheaded flameout with remnants of musical soulfulness worth reviving" but felt that Breslin wasn't given much opposite him in a role that "should feel like more of a title character than a programmatic catalyst for his redemptive change."{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-capsules-janie-jones20111104-story.html|title=Movie review: 'Janie Jones'|last=Abele|first=Robert|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 4, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2017|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004200136/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-capsules-janie-jones20111104-story.html|archive-date=October 4, 2020|url-status=live}} {{Rating|2|5}}

Frances Fisher was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films for her work in the film, but ultimately lost to Lesley Manville for Another Year.{{cite web|url=https://chlotrudis.org/2012-18th-annual-awards/|title=2012, 18th Annual Awards|publisher=Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films|access-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213033953/https://chlotrudis.org/2012-18th-annual-awards/|archive-date=December 13, 2021|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006165337/http://www.janiejonesmovie.com/|title=Official website|date=October 6, 2011}}
• {{IMDb title|1509130}}
• {{Mojo title|janiejones}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|janie_jones}}
• {{Metacritic film|title=Janie Jones}}

{{David M. Rosenthal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janie Jones}}

Category:2010 films

Category:2010 drama films

Category:2010 independent films

Category:2010 musical films

Category:2010s American films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s musical drama films

Category:American drama films

Category:American independent films

Category:American musical drama films

Category:English-language independent films

Category:English-language musical drama films

Category:Films about alcoholism

Category:Films about dysfunctional families

Category:Films about music and musicians

Category:Films directed by David M. Rosenthal

Category:Films shot in Iowa