Jimmy Grimble

Buying a ticket to a sports movie is like buying a train ticket to, say, Manchester. It's pretty obvious that at the end of the journey you will get to Manchester, in fact you would be annoyed if you didn't get that ending. But the trick is to make sure the journey has some surprises along the way and keeps interesting. Jimmy Grimble manages that fairly successfully.

This isn't a good film in relation to other recent British films released recently, it is a good film full stop.

One main reason it succeeds is the screenplay. The plotting, characterisation and dialogue are basic but well done. The direction, however, is very well done. Football has never looked so good on film.

I saw the last British football film When Saturday Comes on television for free and still demanded my money back, everything about it was awful. Jimmy Grimble has a lower profile and a low-key release but is infinitely superior on every level.

While it is the young that will derive the most pleasure out of this, adults will also get something out of it.

When I got this film out , I thought Ray Winstone & Robert Carlyle in the same film , must be good (memories of Face). Well instinct and a little knowledge can be a great thing. Both actors were great in this film. Set in Manchester and in area where social and community decline is evident. The story begins with a boy , like millions of British lads , playing football.

Football is the means in which he escapes from decay and bullying. A Man City fan in a school filled with Man Utd supporters.This is the hard luck kid of the ages. His mum is a single parent and he is not impressed with the new boyfriend.

The story is probably from a Scorcher cartoon , Billy's boots.The usual rivalry with a lad whose Dad is rich and uses his wealth and importance to further the prospects of his spoilt bully of a son who is Jimmy's chief tormenter and probably every boys nightmare at school, because he pulls the girls and is considered the best footballer in the school.

The story is one of imagination and inspires belief. Misfortune and mistakes may hold people back , but in this film , it is that which makes the characters human. Achieving a dream which is against the odds (appearing at Man City) and finding love as well. Both Jimmy and Ma.

The musical score in the film was superb. Happy Mondays , The Charlatans and Stone Roses tracks keep the story and background flowing.

This was a great film , I even rate this film, better than Billy Elliot. The acting , subject and the music made this film unforgetable. Sadly , I saw this film on video not on the big screen. Again the British Film Industry is let down in the marketing department.

Great film 10/10

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.

I've now seen this film 5 or 6 times on satellite TV, and bought it on DVD. The first time I saw it I wasn't really watching and so wasn't convinced, but thought it was good. The second time, I watched it seriously ... and thought it absolutely brilliant.

For myself, an Englishman who always wanted to be a footballer but without the necessary talent (or any talent), this is a story of dreams come true. Of a home-life that is far from perfect, but with a mother who loves you. And a teacher who used to be a striker at the highest level. How much better can it get?

There's great acting from Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Gina McKee and Samia Ghandie; and a brilliant soundtrack reinforcing the emotionally key moments of the film. The side-plots are subtly handled and the ending has made me cry more than once.

Wonderful ..... especially if you have always wanted to be a great footballer but never made it, or have been unlucky in love. Recommended.

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.