Patriot. American. Hero.
James Stewart. The actor who we’ve all seen many times in such movies as Winchester ’73, Bend of the River, Thunder Bay, The Naked Spur, The Glenn Miller Story, The Far Country, The Man from Laramie and Strategic Air Command, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Vertigo, John Ford’s Two Rode Together, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Cheyenne Autumn and Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can’t Take It with You. Those of us who grew up in the 1970’s, we were first introduced to this giant of the big screen with Airport 77 and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West as the elderly bloodhound and lawman.
Many didn’t know his other story of duty and honor. In the new biopic, Jimmy, the film explores the Hollywood legend’s rise to stardom, his service as a combat pilot over Nazi-occupied Europe, and his difficult return home before making It’s a Wonderful Life.
It’s also an emotional story of Stewart and the relationship with the men he commanded, his father, Lionel Barrymore and Frank Capra, who talks him into starring in the holiday classic.
JIMMY starts with his Academy Award win to enlisting in the Army Air Corps, flying 20 combat missions in a B-24 during World War II. He survived the war and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve. By the time his military service was complete, he was a brigadier general—but like so many veterans, combat and military service left him with profound PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Directed by Aaron Burns, Jimmy is a must-see on the big screen. It’s more than just a movie about a legend. It’s a movie that’s inspiring and Burns gives an in-depth look at a man… a good and honorable man. Burn’s film is very much akin to the brilliant Apple TV series Masters of the Air, that followed the real-life airmen of the 100th Bomb Group from their arrival at RAF Thorpe Abbotts in England in the spring of 1943 through the end of World War II in May 1945. The visual effects in Jimmy are superb, and along with the amazing cinematography of James Mather and sharp editing by Stephen O’Connell, the audience is put right into the aerial battle scenes.
KJ Apa is remarkable. You truly believe his performance. It’s more than an impersonation. It’s sincere. It’s Jimmy Stewart.
Max Casella, Christopher McDonald and Neal McDonough are Stewart’s conscience throughout, and it’s so engaging.
McDonough gives a poignant performance as Stewart’s father, Alexander Stewart, who served in WWI and gives his son the book of Psalms as he leaves for Europe for inspiration..
McDonald plays Lionel Barrymore. In a pivotal scene on the set of It’s a Wonderful Life, his character steps in to give a trauma-ridden Jimmy Stewart an inspiring pep talk. He reminds Stewart that the post-war world desperately needs hope and faith, helping the shell-shocked veteran push through his psychological trauma.
But it’s Casella that’s mesmerizing. He is the heart and soul of Jimmy. He never gives up on Stewart and it’s his stellar performance that is absolutely brilliant, with scenes that bring you to tears.
Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, is an executive producer on the film.
The score is a triumph from composer Grant Fonda, telling Stewart’s story through music and it carries a personal resonance. As the great-great-grandnephew of Henry Fonda, Stewart’s lifelong friend and fellow screen icon, he brings a family connection to a film exploring the man behind the beloved public persona. Fonda’s score follows Stewart across sharply contrasting worlds, capturing the glamour and ambition of Golden Age Hollywood, the harrowing intensity of combat, and the emotional uncertainty of coming home. It’s the score that’s the emotional DNA of Jimmy and also features active service members of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band.
The movie also stars Jason Alexander, Kara Killmer, Sarah Drew, Julian Works and Jen Lilley. One 2026’s best films, Jimmy is in theaters now.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
