Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Alasdair Orr Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

MarieGabrielle for directing this unusual film, having read the other reviews, I agree that, while this is not a "feel-good" movie, it is more of a character study, and as long as you don't picture yourself living his life, you won't get depressed.But isn't that the point of a good film?. It could be, or has been something similar to our own life. We all relate to a loser boss, and co-employee Ethan Hawke is excellent. When Whaley gets in trouble at work, Hawke has mentioned to the boss that beer was missing. Whaley says ..."did you also mention that you smoke an ounce of pot a day before coming to work?"... Hawke: "No, it didn't come up"!. They work at a Tops/Costco supermarket, and it is certainly believable that people working there would need mind-altering substances!.We see Whaley's general sense of alienation; Whaley also takes care of his grandmother, played by Lynn Cohen. His creative release, and hope for a better life, is at the Laughing Stock, where he tries to do stand up comedy. I was reminded of the film "Punchline", (circa 1989), which was of a similar vein, Tom Hanks as the tragic-comic protagonist. Carla Gugino plays the wife, and is realistic.While it is not a "feel-good" movie it is a realistic portrayal of an average guy, there are some funny scenes like where he works at an Indian fast-food restaurant, and also selling fireplaces (very funny)... it is an original character study worth watching. You will especially relate to this film if you are from the metro NJ/NY area.

RBNY I was so disappointed in this film. I am a fan of the three leads. I thought Carla Gugino carried the film. Aside from that Jimmy's relationship with Ruth was touching. The context of the film was so depressing and angry. I ask why not give some hope for Jimmy and why end it without any closure for Jimmy. I am still spiraling downward with Jimmy. Frank Whaley is so talented that I could not believe this came from him. I hope next time he writes and directs he goes in a different direction. Frank has the talent to be a leading man and we already know he is a very credible character actor. Good luck to him and he can't go wrong working with Hawke or Gugino again.

dlamanti I kept waiting around for something redeeming to happen - it doesn't. As far as I could see, this was a totally pointless movie about a loser who never learns anything about himself. He is a self centered, self pitying person who never "gets it" - i.e., he is the problem. It makes me wonder - Who would put up money to make a movie like this? This was so bad!!!

jaykay-1 I saw"The Jimmy Show" at a screening at the American Film Market 2002 last week and, while it contains home truths about life in suburban America, I found it heavy going. The producers call it a bitter-sweet love story but to me it was more bitter than sweet. Its big problem lies in its lack of an underlying vein of hope and optimism so often necessary in a story of this genre.Jimmy O'Brien describes himself as "young, fresh and angry" but is in reality a born loser with sticky fingers. Holding down a supermarket dead end job by the skin of his teeth, he has aspirations as a standup comedian. Every Tuesday on open-mike night at The Laughing Stock comedy club, he dies on stage at the hands of a tough, no-smiling audience but this is nothing compared with what is happening inside Jimmy. He is slowing strangling on his own lack of initiative, ambition and basic social graces. Thrown out of his market job for stealing cases of beer, he continues along a seemingly downward path without benefit of humorous relief.Frank Whaley wrote the screenplay, directed, and plays the role of Jimmy, and when such vital chores are taken on by one man, I can't help thinking the movie has more than the usual biographical aspects and should more accurately have been called "The Frank Show". In supporting roles, Carla Cugino as his long-suffering wife and Ethan Hawke as his co-worker provide adequate performances.Not recommended for those in search of a feel-good movie.