‘Jimmy’ Review: KJ Apa Expertly Channels James Stewart In An Inspiring Movie That Tells The Story The Beloved Oscar Winning Star Kept To Himself

When Kelly Stewart Harcourt (who is also an Executive Producer) was told about the idea of making a movie about her father, the Oscar winning legend James Stewart, her reaction was that it might be pretty boring since her dad didn’t live a life full of scandals, drugs, drinking or other staples of biopics about movie stars. In other words he was a straight up guy. Then she learned the pitch wasn’t to do a standard birth to death typical film in the genre, but one that focused on the period of his life of which he was most proud, his service in the U.S. military, more specifically World War II where he flew 20 dangerous missions over Europe as a combat pilot in the US Army Air Corps, rising to the title of Colonel at war’s end (and ultimately Brigadier General). It was, she says, something he never spoke about to her or her siblings.

Jimmy aims to change all that and bring this largely unpublicized part of Stewart’s life to the frontlines and give it the attention it deserves. It doesn’t ignore completely his status as a movie star or his film career but that is just a starting off point. That aspect comes more fully into view upon the end of the war and his doubts, even depression, about his ability to return in front of the cameras after director Frank Capra (who previously directed Stewart in You Can’t Take It With You, and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington) worked hard to convince the star to do a script he had, It’s A Wonderful Life. Far more effective in narrowing in on his experiences in the war and post-war dealing with what is now known as PTSD and trying to find his way and worth back into society – and Hollywood, Jimmy proves to be a cut above your average movie star biopic.

We do get a sense of the kind of fame he had as the winds of war started to blow. He was a major star, even winning a Best Actor Oscar in early 1941 for The Philadelphia Story after having first been nominated for Mr. Smith the year before. But after Pearl Harbor Stewart (played in a terrific turn from Riverdale’s KJ Apa) became among the first stars to enlist, previously having become an experienced flyer in his earlier life, but the system tried to hold him back. MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer (Jason Alexander) attempted to convince him not to do it, that it will hurt his career, but he didn’t listen. Once in the military though the U.S. government wanted him only to do PSA’s in order to help recruitment. He was frustrated because he knew there was more he could contribute and so he convinces Col Terrill (Rob Riggle) to give him a shot, something that led to his commanding a whole fleet of B-52’s and hundreds of men, personally flying some of the riskier missions himself. Director Aaron Burns effectively handles the aerial and battle sequences here giving us the real-life kind of film Stewart never really made as an actor (later he would do one, Strategic Air Command that showed off his flying abilities).

The latter part of Jimmy is all about the production of the 1946 film, It’s A Wonderful Life in which Stewart played George Bailey, a man at the end of his rope who feels he has lost it all and even contemplates suicide until he sees what the world might be like if he had never lived at all. We see during the film’s production Stewart is riddled with doubt about his own life and ability to pick up where he left off. It is a fascinating portrait of art imitating life imitating art imitating life as Apa channels Stewart’s deep self-doubts while playing Bailey’s severe depression, the price of having given it all up to serve his country witnessing first hand the hell of war. These scenes are quite moving and well played by Apa, who not only convinces us with that famous voice of Stewart’s but also his demeanor on screen and off. It is no mere impression but a nuanced and authentic portrayal that shows us a side of the iconic man who represents the best we can be.

Among the supporting cast Max Casella is excellent as Capra, as is Christopher McDonald who plays Lionel Barrymore, his Wonderful Life co-star who offers much needed encouragement and inspiration to Stewart at a key time. Neal McDonough is also very good as Stewart’s father who also served in the military during WWI and had hopes his son would follow his footsteps into the family hardware business. Among female members of the cast Kara Killmer as a love interest, Sarah Drew as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, and Jen Lilley as Gloria whom he would eventually marry all have brief but nice moments.

Look closely and you might spot a cameo from Karolyn Grimes (now 86) who actually played Bailey’s youngest daughter in It’s A Wonderful Life. Nice touch. Incidentally here is a fun fact: It’s A Wonderful Life was actually a box office flop when it first was released, even though it was nominated for Best Picture and earned Stewart a third Best Actor Oscar nomination. Of course it has stood the test of time and now is arguably the most revered Christmas movie of them all. Jimmy will give you a new perspective on it, and the man who plays the lead role, the next time you watch it. More than anything else this inspiring film reminds us that they just don’t make movie stars like Jimmy Stewart any more.

Producers are Burns, Justin Strawhand (who also wrote the screenplay), Angela Galgani Sullivan, David Cook, John Norton, and Jack McClintock.

Title: Jimmy

Distributor: Fathom Entertainment

Release Date: November 6, 2026

Director: Aaron Burns

Screenplay: Justin Strawhand

Cast: KJ Apa, Max Casella, Jen Lilley, Kara Killmer, Sarah Drew, Rob Riggle, Christopher McDonald, Neal McDonough, Jason Alexander, Julian Works

Rating: PG13

Running Time: 2 hours