The Inexplicable Career Explosion of Jessica Chastain

Thoroughly mediocre, unattractive, and charisma free, and yet five major movies in the past year with every big director, writer, and cast in all prestige projects resulting in absurd attention and an Oscar nom. This middling Juilliard grad brings a new definition to pallid. Two years from now, you won't know who she is. Hands down, best management, agent and most of all, PR in the business. Who the hell did she fuck?

I still don't know who she is. Wasn't she a soccer player?
Isn't she related to Ron Howard ?
I think you're judging her too quickly. I saw in The Help and The Debt within the same month and was really impressed by her range. Can't think of any other young actress who could play two such different parts.
How "young" is she? JC looks well into her early 40s
I think shes a decent actress. Especially in the debt. I would have voted her or janet mcteer over octavia spencer for the oscar. I really dont understand the euphoria over octavia spencer. Standing o at the oscars? wtf?! That shit in the pie scene in the help was disgusting. I thought melissa mccarthy in bridesmaids was a pig. Thank god she didnt win. So they settled on octavia doing her hattie mcdaniel best.
[quote]The Debt Yes, she was quite convincing as "Semitic," as was Sam Worthington.
She claims she's 30 but Dlisted says she's 35. I couldn't care either way. She was very good in The Help.
r6 you are very convincing as an antisemitic. I know 3 Jewish girls who look very much like her.
She should have won the Oscar. She was fantastic in The Help
She's 37-38 if she's a day.
Her work in The Help is stolen right from Steel Magnolias. It's Roberts' Shelby mixed with Parton's character. I'm not impressed with Chastain at all but if her management can get her work good for them.
Whatever
Didn't Rachel McAdams lie about her age as well? And she is gorgeous.
She looked ravishing on Oscar night.
She is going to be in "The Heiress." Cherry Jones nailed that part and won a Tony for it, so Jessica has some big shoes to fill. I wanted to see Lily Rabe in "The Heiress" more than anyone else.
[quote] I really dont understand the euphoria over octavia spencer. Standing o at the oscars? wtf? White guilt.
Why are they remaking The Heiress, for Christ's sake? Olivia de Havilland already delivered the definite interpretation of Catherine Sloper (and won an Oscar for it).
I think she's doing it onstage, R16. I haven't seen THE HELP but was struck by her hair in the clip they showed at the Oscars. Is her character supposed to be wearing a cheap obvious wig or is it just a cheap obvious wig?
There are some major bitches on the rag here today. First the Kristin Chenowith psycho, and now this. Other than Viola Davis, Chastain was the best thing in THE HELP, compared to the overacting of Spencer, the one-dimensional performance of Howard, and the miscasting of Stone. Chastain was also fine in TREE OF LIFE and TAKE SHELTER. She's a talented woman who happened to have a lot of films come out in a short time frame, though some of them (like THE DEBT) were filmed much earlier. OP is one of these people who is just negative for the sake of being negative, and is therefore irrelevant.
R11, with a healthy dose of Jessica Lange's character from "Blue Sky."
http%3A//acriticalreviewofthehelp.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/can-you-spot-the-stereotype-or-stock-character-in-the-film/
I thought she was terrific in The Help. I thought she was cute on the Oscars. Why all the bad sentiments OP? Why not wish a new actress well?
charlie
Mandesa from American idol fame outed her for being 35-36. They went to high school together and Mandesa had the yearbook pics to prove it. Chastain claims professionally she's only 30.
Chastain is disliked because she's a ginge. I probably wouldn't have a problem with her otherwise.
New York Magazine recently called Oscar Isaac this 2012's Jessica Chastain on its Ubiquitous List. At least he's better to look at.
She gave a wonderful performance in THE HELP. And THE TREE OF LIFE, was filmed and originally supposed to open in 2009, but due to work related to those lugubrious dinosaur scenes, the release date was delayed for years.
We are quoting Mandesa as reliable sources now ? really? Sheesh
Hey, Jessica Chastain is a heck of alot better looking than Kim Kardashian. If Kim is considered beautiful, then Jessica Chastain's beauty would be ethereal.
Mandesa is a homophobic cunt so never listen to her. Oscar Isaac is fucking gorgeous R23, and like Chastain has great range. I was shocked that was him in Drive and also the Vadge film.
I thought she was great in both "Tree of Life" and "The Help". I think her acclaim is well deserved.
The real question is why the fuck do you care at all?
Hmmmmmm%3F
I just realized she's not the girl from True Blood!
It is odd how she is suddenly everywhere. Just looked over her credits and there really isn't much prior to last year. Even her theatre work is slight. Maybe Al Pacino set stuff up for her?
I like her.
She's the Ali McGraw/Mia Farrow of The Now. (Looks the part, nothing - absolutely noootttthinggggg - going on inside.)
She's a really good actress.
"Hands down, best management, agent and most of all, PR in the business" No - that's Michelle Williams At least Jessica C is good looking!
shut up r35!! I'm a widow!
M. Williams
Chastain is an animal lover and owns a three-legged dog
She should give the third foot to Marion Cotillard.
but I'm black.
Octavia
Who cares about the extent of Jessica's talent? The better question is whether we should have the lesbians turn their gaydar toward her for an investigation because she's never with a guy. I don't understand why all these straight, hot actresess can't get dates.
Busy Phillips
I don't think she pings.
quote[Who the hell did she fuck?] Don't look at me.
Tate%20Taylor
I like her. I don't think she's gay, but I still like her.
Horsey ginger, at least 35, but she can act.
She seemed like she was channeling Daryl Hannah's character from 'Steel Magnolias' for her role in 'The Help'. She was better in 'The Tree of Life'.
I agree with OP. She is a clear example of a manager/agent manufactured career. I remember the kids in THE TREE OF LIFE, but she was rather bland in the film.
I thought she was a little "actory" in The Help. Too much stuff going on
Was she not the understudy for Ronald Bilius?
She was ok with what she had to work with in The Tree of Life - basically it was an idolized mother figure, not a real character.
To everyone who bitches about "How did ____ get a career?"--really, who else is out there? I am in the Invisible Gay Years (late 30s), so I don't know all the newest people, but I really see few talented younger stars coming up, let alone stunning ones. Those who are decent are too young for a lot of these parts. Yes, the PR machine is there, but still...
She's really pretty and very talented. I hope to see much more of her and much less of Michelle Williams.
Lily Rabe can out act the hell out of Jessica Chastain any day of the week.
http%3A//www.imdb.com/name/nm1143816/
Jill%20Clayburgh%27s%20White%20Blood%20Cell%20Count
Please, Lily Rabe is a pale imitation of her mother.
A pale imitation of Jill Clayburgh is better than Jessica Chastain.
R40: She is a vegan. Does that help? and So is there a boyfriend to share all this success with? She’s not saying. ‘I don’t talk about my dating life. But I will say this: in this business it’s very tough to maintain a relationship because we’re like gypsies – always on the move. And the more you share your relationship with the world the less special it becomes. So I always try to keep my dating life quiet.’ Jessica lives near the beach in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, with her two rescue dogs, Radley, a corgi-spaniel cross, and Roman, a chihuahua mix. When she’s not working she loves to cook – she’s a strict vegan – and hang out with her best friend, actress Jess Weixler.
I thought she was good in THE HELP, but nothing that I would consider oscar worthy. Davis was truly the best of the bunch, but I thought Emma Stone was good also. The movie could have used a good editor. They tried to put the entire book in the movie. Three or four times I kept thinking the movie was going to end, and it just kept going.
I think her relationship with Jess is very strange. Jess looks like her "suporting wife". Friends are not that exclusive.
Anything to save us from Amy Adams.
I agree, R58! I think she is a Nicole Kidman replacement. She's a sexy, adult woman, almost from another time, as opposed to all of these little bimbo girls we get now.
she's the illegitimate daughter of ron howard - I'm not kidding. lots of shadowy info about her beginnings...
She is a Scientologist being groomed to be Tom's latest wife.
She lied about her age all Blanche Devereaux (née Hollingsworth) style and that is slowly coming back to haunt her a mite bit.
she is very talented watch "take shelter". The OP really believes that top management and fucking the right people automatically translate into an A list career? Doesn't work that way. Directors like her, that is what drove her career. Trust me, the fat pig producer crowd that runs the film business doesn't want to fuck her. She isn't "hot" enough or waspy enough for them to consider her a conquest. To the powerful producers in LA [straight, that is] Jessica looks like cleaned up trailer trash. SO the point is it is directors and women who are pushing her career.
youcanonlyfuckyourwaytomidlevelbottom
She appeared out of nowhere, which would not have been so unusual had it not been for her total lack of screen charisma and presence.
Actually, her features ARE very similar to Ron Howard's. Same jaw, eyes, nose, etc. Here's Jess...
http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/Jessica-Chastain1.jpg
And Ron.
http://www.librarising.com/astrology/celebs/images2/QR/ronhoward.jpg
Never heard of any boyfriend, except in passing and when it was over.
Why do some people feel that everyone has to be in a relationship all the time?
I think R63 has it right. Besides her talent she is liked by directors and that is the word on her. Being easy to work with helps a great deal. Tehre are many talented people who areer difficult and that rep gets around. That and some luck and the coincidence that some films were delayed for various reasons giving her so many openings in such a short time span.
bump.
She played what could very well always be known as my character in "The Heiress' as though she were someone living with Asperger's Syndrome.
Cherry%20Jones
She happens to be an excellent actress.
Anonymous
She's either Howards's daughter or as the other rumor says, half-sister. They look way too much alike the resemblence is uncanny. Also, her pre-fame last name was Howard. Chastain is a stage name she took.
It's all about $$$. Once an actress is in a major movie, even in a bit part, that's a whole lotta press. That actresses name gets out there - which is like buying free publicity for whatever film someone might cast her in next. Think of how much $ it costs to make a film. Especially one with Brad Pitt. JC was hired for DIRT CHEAP for all of those films. Talented, good word of mouth from other directors (no drama, gives many takes, etc.), free publicity from the other films she's in = hired.
Her and Bryce both have Opie face.
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/jessica-chastain-bryce-dallas-howard-lookalikes/
She and Bryce not Her and Bryce, you idiot.
R6, Exactly what does a "semitic" look like? Are you aware of the vast range of countries Israelis came from? There are plenty of fair-skinned, blond, blue-eyed, and gingers, and Blacks, and Asians, and Hispanics who were born Jewish.
R61, Tom's next beard? Are you serious?
r74, that also bolsters the casting couch theory, though since it only takes one or two minor roles to make a name. Those might have been gotten on the couch, simply a bj or two, not full out fucking. Looking at her, I'd buy the nepotism theory before the casting couch. That reminds me of this disgusting blind, said to be Michael Bay (surprise!) and Ashley Greene.
http%3A//blindgossip.com/%3Fp%3D39704
OP = Emma Stone
[quote]Once an actress is in a major movie, even in a bit part, that's a whole lotta press. That actresses name gets out there - which is like buying free publicity for whatever film someone might cast her in next. If only that were true.
Gretchen%20Mol%2C%201998%27s%20IT%20girl
Yeah, its nepotism. That's why she did crap theater for years. You're a genius.
I love her. She's a great talent.
The Op seems to have serious issued with Chastain. Unattractive? Yeah right. And now she's a lock for a best actress nom for Zero dark Thirty, so that whole "You won't know who she is in two years" thing is a hue fail.
Jim
reply 64, obviously others don't think that she lacks charisma and presence. Stop forcing your opinions on everyone.
Jim
The only cast member that was age appropriate in The Help was Emma Stone and the maids. Howard and Chastain and the other married white ladies were all too old for young wives and mothers. The character of Skeeter was 21 or 22 I believe and just out of college. Her friends would have been the same age only they got a MRS degree and popped out babies early. How old is Stone anyway? She's was probably a little too old too.
Is she related to Don Chastain, who played Debbie Reynolds' hot hubby on her eponymous '60s sitcom?
The%20Obscure%20Sitcom%20Reference%20Troll
Stone is 23, R86 but probably was around 20 when the movie was filmed.
She is the new Amy Adams, as if one bland blond actress was not enough.
I don't see how you can say she's not talented or charismatic. I would give you that she was a bit "actor-y" in The Help, but it was still a great performance. Besides, in my opinion, she was the only redeeming thing about Tree of Life, and she was brilliant in Take Shelter.
I think her appearance on Bway was miscalculated and premature. She's starring in a revival of THE HEIRESS but it has not been the commercial or critical blockbuster people might have imagined. They should have waited a bit: she's not enough of a name or a presence yet to fill seats (and many were underwhelmed by her performance, based on her rep as a trained theatre actress).
I don't get Amy Adams. She was good as the slut in Drop Dead Gorgeous and Psycho Beach Party but in Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day she was annoying as hell and I haven't really seen her in anything else.
I like Amy but I think her 15 minutes are up as a leading lady. She can't really carry a movie on her own. And she's getting a bit... old for the girly ingenue thing she's got going on. She should just do character parts, as she's very funny. She was the only thing I liked about JUNEBUG, for example.
[quote]She and Bryce not Her and Bryce, you idiot. Oh, dear.
The missing first comma
The Heiress is a failure, critically and financially. She'll be lucky to eke out a Tony nomination which was the whole point of the production in the first place. Hollywood's attempt to protect their investment didn't work. She may be nominated for ZDT, she's not a lock however, and she certainly won't be a real contender. She remains as bland as ever. She's the Sam Worthington of actresses, and as predicted, Sam Worthington is over. We'll see where she is with another year of presence-less, charisma free performances.
[quote]I like Amy but I think her 15 minutes are up as a leading lady. She can't really carry a movie on her own. And she's getting a bit... old for the girly ingenue thing Amy is 2.5 years older than Jessica. Amy is 37 and Jessica was outed against her will as a 35 year old. And R55 certainly describes someone who could be a lesbian. The Ron Howard thing is interesting. She did lie about her age, what else is she hiding?
It's possible that she's simply very busy and/or private, but the quote at r55 sounds an awful lot like something Ricky Martin or Matt Bomer would say before they were out.
I recently saw her interviewed on Charlie Rose so I decided to rent all the movies the library had with her. I'm not impressed. In Take Shelter she can't even do the stock 'concerned wife' character, but comes across more like a harpy. She's ultimately not really likable.
Also, Jessica lacks glamor. She's striking looking but but not pretty: she lacks a softness that Amy Adams has. And she doesn't give "sultry" or "mysterious" (like Angelina) no matter how many red-carpet gowns they stick her in. Is it just a lack of sex appeal? Or warmth?
Chastain does ethereal very well. She's must better than Amy Adams.
She is another child of James Hewitt.
Chastain trying too hard to show her admiration for La Huppert (who seems to cringe a little):
http%3A//www.zimbio.com/photos/Isabelle+Huppert/Cinema+Society+Manifesto+Yves+Saint+Laurent/1Ar-OUGo_nK
I think she's beautiful and I enjoy watching her on screen. However she lacks range as an actress IMO. (FWIW, I am a straight female and I don't fantasize about her.)
The gossip is she has a background she will never talk about. Don't ask her. She won't do interviews. But I also thought she was a standout in The Help and definitely displayed some charisma. She wouldn't be getting roles if she wasn't bankable. The Help made her a star. People related to the ditzy naive outsider married to the hunk who who was rebuffed by the mean girls.
So is "best friend" Jess Weixler a lesbian?
She is the Lady GaGa of the film industry.
The%20Streep%20troll%20%28tm%29
That makes no sense, troll.
For those wondering about her suspicious personal(possibly closeted) life, she took her grandmother once again as her date to an awards show last night.
Is this Misery's daughter?
Annie%20Wilkes
[quote]Her work in The Help is stolen right from Steel Magnolias. It's Roberts' Shelby mixed with Parton's character. I'm not impressed with Chastain at all but if her management can get her work good for them. R11's high. Chastain was stunning in The Help. It's amazing there were any Steel Magnolia sets left standing after those two chewed their way through that movie.
Please do NOT connect Chastain with that awful POS girls-r-us fest called Steel Magnolias...what a shitty film that was.
Drink%20The%20Joos%20Shelby
She is totally Ron Howard's spawn.
It does make sense, r107, if you consider the title of this thread. Gaga's was an inexplicable career explosion as well. She came out of nowhere, was suddenly everywhere, and people acted like they'd always known about her. Same case with Chastain. Needless to say, both are wildly overrated. And The Help is in no way better than Steel Magnolias. How laughable.
The%20Streep%20troll%20%28tm%29
R16, they are talking about The Heiress on Broadway, not the film. It was remade, unfortunately, as Washington Square (1997), starring Jennifer Jason Leigh in the Olivia role, and Ben Chaplin not nearly holding a candle to Monty Clift, in looks or talent. Jessica Chastain was charming in The Help, but she is not going to sustain a career. I am so glad Michelle Williams is no longer the It girl, so Jessica does not bother me that much. I do believe she is related to Ron Howard.
uuuugh, I hate Lady Gaga. I do not think she is a genius at anything but marketing and capitalizing on the rapidly cycling memory of the public. Every damn thing she does I have seen before. If someone would please start a thread regarding Lady Gaga being a no talent bint, I would appreciate it!
"I am so glad Michelle Williams is no longer the It girl" Agree 100 %
The%20Streep%20troll%20%28tm%29
She was fantastic in Zero Dark Thirty.
Well, she did graduate from Juliards... a lot less talented people have better opportunities than her. So why shouldn't she enjoy a career explosion?
That's a pretty labored comparison, R113 given that Gaga (talent aside) is adored by millions worldwide, virtually everyone knows who she is, and is a millionaire. Chastain has none of those things. I liked Chastain enough in Take Shelter and in Tree of Life and I expect to like her in ZDT when I see it, but I loved Williams in Meek's Cutoff and Blue Valentine.
I once tried to find her mothers name, and never did. If one could find that out, then one ostensibly could do some investigating to see if she ever crossed paths w Ron Howard. I suspect this is why her Grandma comes to awards shows w her rather than her mom.
Where does the thought she is jewish? All Chastain's are kin. No matter how they spell their name. A decendant from the Kin of France from the 1600. King John Perrie Chastain gave up his throne because the Chastain's own 3/4 of france. The ugonots (if spelled correctly) began killing all the Chastain family. King John Perrie Chastain gave up his throne for love of his family. He built large ship and brought them to America. If she is jewish that would be interesting to me. A Chastain without money or ever a chance to be a queen, but love my family too. Don't know JC but love her as an actress, she favors my daughter, beautiful.
Huguenots, R121.
Pedant
Wiki says she's indeed 35. Not sure what Mandisa is on about with the "She's not 30 she's 35" nonsense.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_chastain
If she is 35....it is a very odd career path...Juilliard...then 10 years of nothing...(she only has 4 theatre credits listed in her Playbill bio) ...and then suddenly she is in everything.