Jimmy

I was able to see this movie at a festival and really enjoyed this movie. While I thought all the actors were great, the lead actor who played Jimmy was amazing. I was waiting for him to break character and he never did. Some great surprises kept me guessing what was going to happen. This is another great project from director and may be his best. I enjoyed how real the action was for several of the sports scenes. Overall a wonderful film and deserves a afternoon with family or friends. A great movie for the whole family! I will own this one on DVD! If you get a chance to see this in the theater, go. You will not be disappointed.

This film, like many of its ilk, are shown in the UK on a Christian worship channel, and usually the very first thing to look for on these obscure offerings are very high scores with lots of good things to say. Curiously most of them are posted around the time the film is released, usually by users who have just one post. A dead giveaway that the high praise being lavished is usually by people connected to the film trying to drum up some interest. The film is as ever drivel with a Christian faith message.

This film is based on a story by Robert Whitlow. The title character, Jimmy (Ian Colletti) is a developmentally delayed teen living in Georgia. He's a very likable young man but has two strange quirks—he's deathly afraid of water and he sees people no one else sees! Now you'd think that perhaps this is a horror film…it isn't! Instead, these are benign people who seem to be watching over him and you immediately wonder if they might not be angels. Exactly why he has both becomes apparent at the exciting conclusion of the movie.

The film begins with the viewer seeing Jimmy in danger on a dock at the lake. What brought him to this situation and will he survive? Well, the scene changes to two months earlier and slowly through the course of the film you learn about Jimmy's life and death struggle at the end of the film and the events leading to it. In the meantime, he learns a lot about growing up, overcoming his fears and putting his faith in God. A huge dilemma for Jimmy is baptism, as his church is one that believes in immersion baptism—something that drives the young man into a panic attack. Other dilemmas also arise—including what to do when you learn secrets that might get him or someone else hurt.

Jimmy is clearly a family film for Christian audiences. Fortunately, it does not come off as heavy-handed and can be enjoyed by a wider audience than some religious films. It also doesn't seem patronizing when it comes to folks with intellectual delays. I should point out, however, that viewers should be at least 8 to 10 years old in my opinion, as there is some violence and intense situations that might scare younger viewers. Additionally, the acting and production values are surprisingly good for this sort of movie. I was particularly impressed by Mr. Colletti, as he sure did a great job in the title role. I have no idea if this young man is actually developmentally delayed or just did a great job in portraying someone who is. The bottom line is that he was very convincing and will impress you in this role. As for the rest, I didn't recognize these people but they all seemed very natural— which is a testament to the direction by Mark Freiburger. The film is entertaining and well worth your time. My only complaint, and it's minor, is that sometimes the film used the roving camera technique—with some jerky movement that is very popular recently. I could do without this myself.

If you are interested in the film, it's available for rent from Netflix and to buy from Netflix and other retailers.

Young Ian Colletti borrowing quite a bit from Dustin Hoffman's Rainman turns in a marvelous performance in the title role as Jimmy.

This could have been Hoffman st the age of 12. Coletti has onr unconquerable phobia, a fear of water. When it comes time got an immersion baptism it's no go. He also has a photographic memory and recalls what he reads and hears.

The young man is put in a frightful peril because of something he overhears. but as this a Christian film there are certain parameters.

Kudos to Patrick Fabian and Kelly Carlson playing Jimmy's parents and Ted Levine as his grandfather. Most of all Ian Colletti makes this film a winner.

If these characters have seen Rainmsn there's a casino trip in Colletti's future.

We watched this as a family last night and we just sat in silence when it was finished. All I can say is WOW! Fantastic cinematography, sound track, and acting. The casting is over the top superb. The screen writing is well done - believable and draws you in immediately. It is intense, yet fun; full of conflict, yet loving. The use of irony throughout is extremely effective - just when you think you have it figured out, they flip you upside down and take you with them. The most important thing I appreciate about this film is that it is wholesome and honors what is right. There are no language or modesty issues or inappropriate scenes. Those things aren't needed to make a top-notch film - and Jimmy is a prime example of that. Bravo to the team - and please continue to produce family friendly God-honoring films. We need more! Thank you!