Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
‘Jimmy’ Review: James Stewart Biopic Focuses on Service Over Artistry
The biopic ‘Jimmy’ portrays actor James Stewart, focusing more on his military service than on his film career.
KJ Apa plays Stewart, and Aaron Burns directed the film, which was released by Fathom Entertainment.
The story shows Stewart enlisting in the Air Force in 1941 and serving in England as a bomber pilot during the Second World War.
It also depicts his friendship with director Frank Capra and the making of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
The film presents Stewart in a glowingly conservative and faith-adjacent light, with attention to his Presbyterian background and patriotic duty.
The review says the performance captures Stewart’s drawl and modest manner but offers a shallow portrait of the man.
The criticism matters because Stewart is a major figure in American cinema, yet the film is judged to reveal little about his life or artistry.
“Jimmy” is a biopic of actor James Stewart, played by KJ Apa.
The film focuses on Stewart’s military service in the Second World War and his return to Hollywood to make “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Variety says the film captures Stewart’s manner but offers a superficial portrait of him.
TheWrap criticizes the film as fawning and says it prioritizes Stewart’s legacy over his personal complexity.
Both reviews note that Julia, Stewart’s love interest in the film, is fictional.
- Who
- James Stewart, played by KJ Apa, is the subject of the biopic.
- What
- Jimmy” portrays Stewart’s Hollywood career, military service and return to film.
- When
- The story covers events from 1941 through the production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.
- Where
- Stewart serves in England as a bomber pilot with the 453rd Bombardment Group.
- Why
- Not stated.
Variety's reviewer
TheWrap's reviewer
Overall assessment
Variety's reviewer
The film is a hokey, superficial portrait that has little to say about Stewart as a person or an icon.
TheWrap's reviewer
The film is fawning and fake, focused on solidifying Stewart’s legacy rather than portraying a person.
KJ Apa's performance
Variety's reviewer
Apa captures Stewart’s drawl and aw-shucks persona but gives him only a sentimental semblance of a soul.
TheWrap's reviewer
Apa adopts Stewart’s mannerisms and speech patterns impeccably, but the performance lacks a distinctive perspective on his life.
Stewart receives his draft letter after winning an Academy Award for “The Philadelphia Story.
Stewart enlists in the Air Force and is stationed in England as a bomber pilot with the 453rd Bombardment Group.
Stewart returns to Hollywood and is pitched the idea for “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Frank Capra.
The film depicts Capra and Stewart sharing a final scene as the Liberty Studios sign is torn down.
- Lead actor
- KJ Apa
- Director
- Aaron Burns
- Military unit
- 453rd Bombardment Group
- Setting of service
- England
- Fictional character
- Julia, a composite character representing Stewart’s many girlfriends
2 sources
What people are saying
This isn’t a movie, Julia, this is my life!
a hundred years from now, this film will be remembered.
Go back to Hollywood and make peace with the fact that you are what you are.