Film Review – Jimpa (2025)

      Jimpa, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Sophie Hyde.

      Starring Olivia Colman, John Lithgow, Aud Mason-Hyde, Daniel Henshall, Kate Box, Eamon Farren, Hans Kesting, Zoë Love Smith, Romana Vrede, Deborah Kennedy, Jean Janssens, Frank Sanders, Cody Fern, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Bryn Chapman, Parish Len, Leo Vincent, and Julian Cruiming.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Hannah and her non-binary teenager Frances visit her gay grandfather Jimpa in Amsterdam. Frances wishes to spend a year living with Jimpa, which challenges Hannah's parenting ideals and compels her to address past conflicts.

      Both the activist and somewhat estranged grandfather Jim (portrayed boldly by John Lithgow, who showcases his charismatic qualities) and his non-binary grandchild Frances (played by Aud Mason-Hyde, the daughter of writer/director Sophie Hyde, who is seemingly sharing a personal narrative) are intricate figures in Jimpa, a title that blends “Jim” and “grandpa,” aptly reflecting the two distinct ways Frances views him, primarily as a gay rights advocate rather than just a relative.

      When Frances, along with parents Hannah (Olivia Colman) and Harry (Daniel Henshall), visit Jim in Amsterdam, they are dismayed by Frances's desire to stay for a year with Jimpa to engage with his enigmatic presence and immerse themselves in a more progressive environment. Jim's more frustrating and problematic traits become increasingly obvious. Their parents have forewarned Frances about these aspects, yet despite suffering a stroke, Jim remains an effortlessly captivating and flamboyant presence who commands attention.

      Jim has had numerous partners and played a significant role in the fight for gay rights. However, he has also adopted a more conservative viewpoint, dismissing bisexuality as an invalid concept that undermines his advocacy. This firmly counters Frances's identity as a non-binary person attracted to women or non-cis men, challenging Jim's perspective. Aud Mason-Hyde delivers a nuanced portrayal of Frances, making their layered and complex role truly resonate.

      There is also a dimension showing Hannah, a filmmaker who clearly represents Sophie Hyde, attempting to navigate her family’s history, particularly Jim’s coming out as gay and departure when she was 13, into conflict-free art, despite advice from collaborators over Zoom suggesting it isn't feasible. At times, it seems like Sophie Hyde is approaching the film in a similar fashion, showing less interest in the aforementioned conflicts than one might expect. Instead, the third act reveals some tragedy and an extended resolution that doesn’t effectively engage with prior events.

      The film aims to explore Frances's tumultuous relationship with Jimpa, individual experiences like discovering sexual identity, first intimacies (in various unconventional and casual forms that may raise eyebrows, but it is Europe...), and the potential for a richer upbringing in Amsterdam. Throughout the narrative, there are vague montage-like flashbacks featuring younger versions of these characters, presented in a stylistic choice that feels largely unfulfilling.

      As Jimpa unfolds, it increasingly feels overloaded with plot points and thematic elements that are either abandoned or fail to converge into anything meaningful, particularly as the focus appears scattered. The film might have benefited from centering on one major character's perspective rather than ambitiously intertwining a family story that ultimately does not resolve but shifts into 30 minutes of sentimentality.

      In many respects, the film lacks the tightness needed to adequately represent both Frances and Jimpa, diminishing their complexity. By the time Hannah experiences revelations about how to convey her story, audiences may feel lost in the family dynamics and disengaged. Jimpa presents a fascinatingly messy and contradictory exploration of LGBTQ perspectives and character relations but is far more intriguing than fulfilling.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder