When Karim Leklou got his prize for best actor at the French Cesar for his role as Aymeric, some sort of big hearted wanderer, he said that he immediately liked the scenario because it spoke about "good people, the "gentle ones" we barely ever hear of. Aymeric, the heroe of this story is of one of those who do not think of themselves in the first place, who let their ego aside, the ones who never overwhelm the others with their problems and who accept to be guided by other people's will.
Jim's Story is the story of a gentle one: a father who became one without noticing it, who accepted his fate without claiming for justice or revenge.
Beyond Aymeric's fate, the film tackles fatherhood like very few did before with sensitivity and a touching point of view for a complex almost unique situation.
In the background of "Jim's Story", any fan of cinema will see a revisited "Jules and Jim" (the famous film of François Truffaut - 1962 -) with other taboos than in the 60's. While "Jules and Jim" spoke about the freedom of sexuality for a woman in the 60's (a scandal back then !) Jim's Story speaks about taboos of the XXIst century like the role of strangers in the upbringing of a child, insights about modern love (with no grudge !) and a deep analysis into the strong bond created with a child a his tutor (whether he's the father ...or not).
What is being a family, what is being a father ? Can a child have several dads ? These are the questions the film will try to find an answer to.
The Larrieu Brothers take back the narrative of the 1962's film,. You might find back a lot of winks to the 1962's film : the little house in the woods, the back and forth to the city and the letters (or email) exchanged. However, this story (Jim's story) has its own originality, its own authenticity . It's indeed a heartbreaking story and a sensitive film that should bring new shades of thoughts towards how and when fatherhood is born.
All in all, this movie is an ode to tolerance, to freedom, to good people and to country side.
The narrative might seem very "French" or very intellectual, but it's a stylistic device that makes you enter into a specific mood, guided by the gentleness or its main character.
Very original, sometimes upsetting by the reactions of Aymeric the main character (who never gets angry !), but a beautiful idea and a beautiful mood indeed in this film !
The actors are also very good, Karim Leklou of course (who deserved his prize) but also Sara Giraudeau (the last girl friend of Aymeric in the film) or Adranic Manet who both bring a very energetic, tender and fresh input at the end of the film.
I am more skeptical with Laetitia Dosch, the mother of Jim, who is never where we expect her to be. Her intonation is puzzling, she speaks weird (as if she was reciting...), but her character is distrubing and weird from beginning to end which gives consistence to her character. You end up understanding that she's a freak and eventually accept the way she is (and she deceives you !).
I recommend this film for its originality and the emotion it will trigger in you. Beautiful film about fatherhood indeed.
