The New Zealand actor KJ Apa, known for his role in the comic-book series ‘Riverdale,’ is now portraying James Stewart in the biopic ‘Jimmy.’ The film focuses on Stewart’s military service during World War II and the aftermath. Apa’s performance is noted for its reasonable imitation of Stewart’s distinctive voice and physicality, particularly in scenes of distress.

Simple-minded Portrayal

The movie, directed by Aaron Burns, is seen as an attempt to highlight Stewart’s noble military service. It presents Stewart’s insistence on serving his country despite being considered underweight for military service in real life. The film also covers Stewart’s role as a bomber pilot and his subsequent guilt over losing men during the war.

After the war, Stewart returns to Hollywood and collaborates with director Frank Capra on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ a film that the movie suggests helped Stewart exorcise his wartime demons. The film’s portrayal of Stewart’s life is criticized for being overly schematic, with a focus on Stewart’s patriotic efforts rather than the complexity of his post-war career.

Lack of Depth

‘Jimmy’ is described as lacking the grace and nuance expected in a biopic about a beloved film icon. The film spells out its themes explicitly, such as the statement by Louis B Mayer, “I can’t sell hope right now, Jimmy, not with you.” The film’s approach is seen as more about reinforcing a pro-war narrative than exploring the nuances of Stewart’s life and career.

The film’s narrative arc is criticized for being too narrow, focusing on a smaller portion of Stewart’s life and cramming it into a vague, faith-based framework. Despite Apa’s efforts, the film is described as falling somewhere between cosplay and stolen valor. The portrayal of Stewart’s lifelong spouse is particularly cursory.

Release and Reception

‘Jimmy’ is currently out in U.S. cinemas and will be released in the U.K. and Australia at a later date. The film has been described as ploddingly dutiful, with KJ Apa trying, in vain, to save a simple-minded portrayal of James Stewart, according to reviews.