There's Only One Jimmy Grimble

I discovered this film tucked away in the DVD rental shop. I cannot say why I bothered to rent it - I am not a sports fan, and have no knowledge of soccer. I suppose I thought, hey, it is British, and Carlyle is in it, so it cannot be all bad. Once I sat down and watched it, I was blown away.

This film is one of those hidden gems, a movie with a great script, a talented cast, a wonderfully unique setting, but no buzz. My feelings about such films are mixed. On the one hand I am elated to have stumbled upon such a treat. On the other, I am deeply saddened to think of all the people out there who may have loved such a movie, but will never see it. And it depresses me to think that there are many more films out there that I will miss.

I would urge anyone reading these reviews, who has not seen Jimmy Grimble, to rent or buy it ASAP, and anyone who has only seen it once to see it at least one more time. And spread the word about this, and other great, but largely-ignored, movies. Haven't we had enough of movie adaptations of bad sitcoms and comic books, films inspired by "lifestyle", and terrible movie franchises? Aren't we tired of clichés and feature-length commercials. Fight for quality with your viewing habits, and word of mouth.

Am a 13 yr old boy in NZ. I own the DVD and have watched it 20-30 times. I give this movie 10/10 because it makes me feel very inspired, and living in a country that is rugby mad, we need all the inspiration we can get!!! When I am on the soccer field, sometimes I pretend I am Jimmy, and it always helps my soccer skills. That is reason enough to give it a ten. It is well acted and realistic. I find this movie to be very uplifting, and will probably watch it another 20-30 times!! Robert Carlysle is a brilliant actor and is always a pleasure to watch. More movies need to be made like this one. I don't really know what else to say... I just really love it and always will, and when I have kids, I will sit them down and watch it with them. Awesome, gritty, realistic story.

'There's Only One Jimmy Grimble' is a film I used to love watching as a kid. Seeing it here on IMDb with only 3,000 ratings, a handful of reviews and a score of only 6.6 really baffles me. How is this film not better known, especially in the UK? In my opinion, 'Jimmy Grimble' is one of the best British films of the 2000s and on a par with older classics like 'Kes'.

While football is very much the central theme, this is much more than just a sports film. It's a story with a big heart. A story with a wide range of emotions and themes. It's sad in parts, funny in others. Depressing yet inspirational, and all round hugely enjoyable. 'Jimmy Grimble' is everything that a film should be. Unappreciated and very underrated, this is a film I would recommend to anyone.

What an inspiring movie for both kids and adults alike, you'd think that this sort of movies have been made over and over again. You're wrong, "Jimmy Grimble" is beyond the sugar coated disney type of yarns.

It's grim, sad, fun and full of joy all at once, but not superficial.

I think this film is a real boost for all of us to stop doubting ourselves and go do what ever we enjoy and be the best we can.

Extra points for the scriptwriters for including Man City as an integral part of the movie, the Blues are as genuine as the movie.

There's Only One Jimmy Grimble is a very simple film of whimsy and football, a tale of a young 15 year old Manchester misfit who learns some life lessons when he encounters a strange old homeless dear who gives him a pair of magical old football boots. So yes, boys own fanciful stuff for sure, but it has such a warm heart, is loaded with dry Lancastrian wit, and threaded together with such an affection for the sport and teenage growing pains, that's it's impossible to dislike. The cast list is impressive, with Ray Winstone, Robert Carlyle, Gina McKee, Ben Miller and Jane Lapotaire keeping the ball up for the adults, while in the youngsters half we have Lewis McKenzie as Jimmy scoring well by being naturally uneasy in front of the camera, and Samia Smith has the required charm and feistiness to make the tricky "girlfriend" role work very well.

Jimmy Grimble versus The Psychopaths!

There's good football action for the footie loving fan, with serious tension filled sequences sitting next to some truly funny ones - anyone who played for their school football team will identify with the "different" sort of teams Jimmy and co have to play against. Some of the young characterisations will definitely strike a chord with most British folk who played sport at school. The drama is well played, with director John Hay letting his actors imbue the narrative with the right amount of emotional weight, the soundtrack is contains ideal poundings from bands up North and John De Boorman's cinematography is suitably bleak and beautiful at the requisite junctures.

It has flaws for sure, any film fan could pick holes in this without really trying, and familiarity of the sub-genre undoubtedly stops it blooming with freshness. But why gripe? Film achieves its aims, it wants to leave you with a feel good glow and delivers on that promise. High art it's not, perfect British footie pick me up? Indeed. All together now, "there's only one Jimmy Grimble, one Jimmy Grimble". 7/10