In Frank Capra's timeless It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey's desperate plea at a Bedford Falls bar is one of cinema's most gut-wrenching moments, powered by James Stewart's raw, trembling delivery. But what if some of that anguish wasn't just acting? That question lies at the heart of Jimmy, a new biopic from director Aaron Burns that stars KJ Apa as the beloved Hollywood legend. The film traces Stewart's journey from Oscar-winning stardom to the battlefields of World War II and his difficult return to a career he no longer recognized. While Apa's performance is nothing short of remarkable, the film itself, written by Justin Strawhand, often settles for a polished tribute rather than a truly intimate exploration of the man behind the icon.
The story picks up in 1941, with Stewart at the peak of his fame, fresh off his Philadelphia Story Oscar and thriving under MGM's wing, guided by studio chief Louis B. Mayer (Jason Alexander). But despite the envy of his peers, Stewart feels a pull toward something greater. With a father (Neal McDonough) who instilled a deep sense of duty and a family legacy of military service, he decides to enlist, even as doubts linger about whether a movie star can handle the horrors of war. It's a compelling setup, but Jimmy only skims the surface of these formative relationships and the internal conflict that drove such a monumental decision.
Once in uniform, Stewart proves himself under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Terrill (Rob Riggle), earning the right to lead his own squadron. The film wisely avoids turning the war into a series of explosive set pieces, instead focusing on the quiet, accumulating toll it takes on him. We see him writing condolence letters to grieving families, reassuring his men with a steady voice while his own confidence wavers. A fictionalized romance with British aristocrat Lady Julia (Kara Killmer) offers a glimpse of the ordinary life he craves, but those moments of respite grow increasingly rare as the losses mount. Burns, known for his faith-based work, handles this progression with sensitivity, letting the emotional weight build naturally.
What truly elevates Jimmy is Apa's performance. Stewart has been so often imitated—from Dana Carvey's SNL caricature to the parody podcast that turned him into a relationship guru—that it's easy to forget the genuine sincerity that made him a star. Apa captures Stewart's unmistakable voice, with its hesitant cadence and gentle drawl, without ever slipping into impersonation. He also nails the subtle physicality: the soft expressions, the quiet vulnerability that flickers behind the eyes. In one particularly affecting scene, he reassures his squadron about a mission, only for the camera to linger on his face, revealing the fear he's trying to hide. It's a masterclass in restraint, and it gives the film its emotional core.
The supporting cast adds texture, with Max Casella bringing warmth to Frank Capra, Stewart's longtime friend and collaborator on classics like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life. Alexander's Mayer is appropriately imposing, while Riggle's Terrill is serviceable but underwritten. Killmer's Julia provides a gentle counterbalance, though her character feels more like a device than a fully realized person. Ultimately, this is Apa's film, and he carries it with a grace that the screenplay can't always match.
For all its heartfelt sincerity, Jimmy remains more interested in honoring its subject than in digging into the complexities that made him tick. It's a moving tribute to a man who gave up everything for his country, and Apa's performance is a revelation. But for those hoping to understand the depths of Stewart's transformation—the nightmares, the survivor's guilt, the struggle to reconnect with a world that saw him as a hero—the film leaves you wanting more. It's a biopic that gets to the heart of James Stewart, even if it never quite reaches his soul.
For more on Hollywood's wartime heroes, check out our review of Patrick Stewart's action hero turn, or see how another legend fared in Prime Video's 'The Greatest'.
