Jimpa

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

I feel bad for giving a low rating because Sophie Hyde clearly is talented and her passion with this narrative is demonstrated throughout. A good heartwarming tale of family, LGBTQ indentity and bonds are something I do enjoy as they are personal towards me. I really like the performances and what Hyde is wanting to express. But unfortunately, it didn't work because of Hyde's thin approach on the narrative and the characters having no real emotional connections that would reward an investing moment. There are moments Hyde wants to explore about the themes and character and while I do appreciate her style and approach, the issue is, as I said, that nothing about the characters really were interesting.

The production is okay. The dialogue and dynamics feel clunky as some of the dialogue sequences feel a bit too unrealistic which distracts the emotional and realism that Hyde is wanting to portray. Alongside with a pacing that feels unbalanced and certain choices made from the characters are a bit strange that feels off.

I must I am quite disappointed because I want to like it. Because as someone who is from the community of LGBTQ, I understand the intentions but it just didn't work.

This movie was beautiful. It portrayed the complex relationships between family and found family, growing into yourself and exploring the complex ways we all love. This was one of the most impactful and moving movies I've seen in some time. The way she tells her own story with such vulnerability and honesty creates such an intimate story that you are drawn into the story as if you're in the family. I truly loved how they showed friction without angry conflict. This film fully encompasses the modern family and the dynamics that come with it while navigating the hurt and disappointment of the generations older than you and the fear and care for those younger than you.

The film festivals are running in hot! And I watched Jimpa at the Sundance Film Festival and I watched with some family members who told me about the film and several actors whom I enjoy watching on the screen.

John Lithgow? Is one actor who blends in all his roles and this role is no different, he and Coleman share a long overdue reunion in the film.

The story is a little choppy at times like its trying to do too much and sometimes is hard to follow, and sometimes even the acting feels like they were holding back a little, one character shows up too late in the film and that was disappointing to see because Kate Box is a powerhouse and should have been used more.

I did see someone walk out of the screening at the Sundance Film Festival but when it releases to a wider audience I think a lot of people will fall in love with it.

Give it a go, you may enjoy it, or it will be a sleeper hit I am sure of it.