The Jimmy Show

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Movie Info

Following up on his directorial debut, Joe the King, actor-turned-sometimes director Frank Whaley made this gritty character study of a man consumed by anger. Working as a clerk at a supermarket, Jimmy (Whaley) makes it a practice to steal anything and everything he can get away with, usually cases of beer. At home, he supports his neglected wife (Carla Gugino), his infant daughter, and his foul-tempered invalid grandmother, whom he has been caring for since he was a teen. A compulsive complainer, Jimmy is vitriolically bitter about his lack of a childhood. His latest dream, one in a series of failed schemes to make it big, is to be a standup comedian. Yet Jimmy's idea of a schtick is less one-liners and gags than a prolonged confessional rant about his marriage, the loss of his parents, and his grandmother. As the film progresses, Jimmy's monologues grow darker and ever more sinister. This film was scheduled to be screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival.

Rating:

R (for language)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Frank Whaley
Written By:

Frank Whaley
In Theaters:

Dec 1, 2001 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 27, 2003
Runtime:

97 minutes
Studio:

First Look

Watch it now

Vudu

Cast

Frank Whaley
as Jimmy O'Brien

Carla Gugino
as Annie

Ethan Hawke
as Ray

Lynn Cohen
as Ruth

Jillian Stacom
as Wendy

Spelman M. Beaubrun
as Claude

John Elsen
as Tony

Mitchell Greenberg
as Dr. Schull

Matthew Lawler
as Dr. Burke

Joanna Merlin
as Emily

Rachel Stern
as Nurse Allen

Robert Whaley
as Mr. Slocum

Heather Bucha
as Hostess

Bill Rowley
as Fireplace Man

Bunny Levine
as Fireplace Woman

George Demas
as Man in Club

William Peden
as Man in Club

Jefferson Breland
as Man in Club

Ruth Kulerman
as Keema Woman

Edgar Oliver
as Mulligatawny Man

Laura Jordan
as Jersey Girl

Lynn Pesce
as Jersey Girl

Jeff Wells
as Jersey Guy

Frankie Dellarosa
as Jersey Guy

Raynor Scheine
as Pharmacist

Sam Stone
as Jimmy at 5

Sheila Kay Davis
as Social Worker

View All

Critic Reviews for The Jimmy Show

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (3)

If the movie succeeds in instilling a wary sense of 'there but for the grace of God,' it is far too self-conscious to draw you deeply into its world.

Dec 13, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic
The film, like Jimmy's routines, could use a few good laughs.

Dec 13, 2002 | Rating: 2/4

V.A. Musetto
New York Post
Top Critic
There's an admirable rigor to Jimmy's relentless anger, and to the script's refusal of a happy ending, but as those monologues stretch on and on, you realize there's no place for this story to go but down.

Dec 10, 2002 | Full Review…

Leslie Camhi
Village Voice
Top Critic
So faithful to the doldrums of the not-quite-urban, not-quite-suburban milieu as to have viewers recoiling from the reality check.

May 13, 2003 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central
Rewarding for its brash originality and daring in etching a portrait of a man who refuses to take life's disappointments lying down.

Dec 16, 2002 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Chris Gore
Film Threat
Whaley's determination to immerse you in sheer, unrelenting wretchedness is exhausting.

Dec 13, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide
It may be a somewhat backhanded compliment to say that the film makes the viewer feel like the movie's various victimized audience members after a while, but it also happens to be the movie's most admirable quality

Dec 12, 2002

Jason Clark
Premiere Magazine
Whaley's performance is earnest and often riveting, but he should have taken a few lessons from his peers at amateur night.

Aug 31, 2002 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Annlee Ellingson
Boxoffice Magazine

View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for The Jimmy Show

Feb 23, 2008

frank whaley, writes directs and stars, as jimy a wannabee stand up comedian. who gets a chance in a comedy club, hes chuffed, even though its a open mike night, but a pregnancy and a dead end job, gets in way, will he live his dream, 9 months later hes doing his routine, but his act is more a guy getting thoughts out of his life, and not comedy, various jobs and caring for mother, impact life some more, and more of life gets into his stand up routine, whaley is acting well in this, showing his age, and lots of scenery to chew on, up there with swimming with sharks for best performance by him

scott g Super Reviewer
Jan 19, 2008

I don't have any problem with a film being dreary and depressing, but throughout The Jimmy Show I was repeatedly asking myself, "What's the point?" The protagonist of this story is introduced to us as a self-absorbed, obnoxious whiner who periodically picks up prescriptions for his invalid grandmother. The use of the grandmother as a way to manipulate the audience is particularly distasteful, and I couldn't force myself to feel any attachment to the main character. This film is too sentimental to be effective, too self-conscious to be earnest, and ultimately we are simply called to witness a loser's life falling apart. Sure, it's unfortunate and unpleasant to watch, but that doesn't make it a meaningful picture. The acting is fantastic from the entire cast, and it's a shame to see Frank Whaley waste such a superb performance on this piece. Ethan Hawke steals every scene he's in with his hilarious supporting role. Overall, there is just not enough going for this film for me to recommend it.

Mike T Super Reviewer