Jimmy Review: Aaron Burns' 2026 James Stewart Biopic

The film charts the familiar yet extraordinary arc of Stewart's life, beginning with his early days as an architecture student at Princeton, through his reluctant entry into the family hardware business, and his eventual stumble into the theater. From there, we witness his meteoric rise in Hollywood, his complex relationships with studio titan Louis B. Mayer and director Frank Capra, and his passionate romance with his wife, Gloria.

However, the narrative's true anchor is Stewart's service during World War II. A significant portion of the film is dedicated to his time as a bomber pilot, a harrowing experience that profoundly shaped him and adds a layer of profound gravity to his post-war performances. Jimmy posits that the man who returned from Europe was different from the one who left - more introspective, more haunted, but also more deeply committed to the ideals he believed in. The story seamlessly weaves these threads, suggesting that his on-screen valor was an extension of a genuine, off-screen courage.

Let's be clear: Jimmy is hagiography, and it makes no apologies for it. This is not a film interested in exploring the darker corners of its subject's psyche. Instead, it presents a portrait of a man as a beacon of integrity. The script, while occasionally leaning into sentimentality, is efficiently structured, managing to touch on the key moments of Stewart's life without feeling overly episodic.

The film's greatest strength is KJ Apa. Tasked with the unenviable job of stepping into Stewart's shoes, he wisely sidesteps a direct impression. He captures the famous drawl and the gangly physicality, but more importantly, he channels the underlying sincerity and the quiet intensity behind the aw-shucks persona. It's an impressive, career-elevating turn that holds the film together through its slower passages.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag of solid work and distracting mimicry. Jason Alexander delivers a suitably imperious Louis B. Mayer, and Max Casella brings a commendable, if somewhat familiar, energy to Frank Capra. However, Sarah Drew’s take on the infamous gossip columnist Hedda Hopper feels a bit too broad, a caricature in a film that otherwise strives for grounded realism. The romantic subplot between Apa's Jimmy and Jen Lilley's Gloria is sweet and provides a necessary emotional respite from the demands of stardom and war.

Director Aaron Burns brings a polished, classical style to the proceedings. The period detail is sumptuous, from the glitz of 1930s Hollywood premieres to the grim, fog-soaked airfields of wartime England. The film's technical craft is undeniable, with a beautiful score that swells at all the right moments. Yet, for all its polish, the film lacks the dramatic friction that would elevate it from a good tribute to a great piece of cinema. The conflicts are always neatly resolved, and the faith and valor elements, while central, are handled with a gentle hand rather than a challenging one. It’s a film that reassures more than it reveals.

Pros:

• KJ Apa's charismatic and committed lead performance.
• A refreshingly sincere and uncynical tone.
• Beautifully rendered period production design and costumes.
• A moving, respectful focus on Stewart's military service that connects his life to his art.
• A genuinely heartwarming romance at its core.

Cons:

• The narrative is often predictable and feels like a checklist of biographical highlights.
• Some supporting performances border on caricature, most notably Hedda Hopper.
• It lacks narrative friction, presenting a sanitized version of its subject with few grey areas.
• The film's reverential approach may feel saccharine to viewers seeking more nuance.

Jimmy is a film made for believers - believers in Hollywood magic and believers in the fundamental decency of its subject. It’s an old-fashioned, big-hearted slice of cinema that understands the power of a well-told story about a good man. While it may not dissect its subject's soul with a scalpel, it presents his life with a loving, broad brush. Bolstered by a career-defining performance from KJ Apa and a dedication to its inspiring themes, Jimmy is a warm and winning experience.

It’s the kind of movie that reminds you why we look up to heroes in the first place. We need a director unafraid to show us someone who, despite the odds and the fame, stayed true to his values. This is a testament to one of cinema's greatest talents and a fine example of a Hollywood biopic done with heart and conviction.