Just Jim

The Americans are better at making teenage comedies than the British. Much better. We do have 1 American actor though, but even Emile Hirsch cant save this movie by himself. The bad: it's kinda tedious to watch this story unfold, because nothing much happens. More bad: the leading kid actor hasnt got much charisma, nor is he really funny. The story is of the slowburning kind, which even worsened the tedious feeling I got when watching it... bummer. Not a terrible movie for sure, but definitely not anything great either. A bit tedious. This story is about a shy, nerdy teenager, who gets ridiculed and who finds some solace in getting to know a cool American neighbour (Emile Hirsch), who takes this kid under his wings.

This darkly surrealistic, flint-edged, small town-set coming-of-rage drama finds a desperately isolated 17yr old Jim (Craig Roberts) struggling to amuse himself, cruelly abandoned by his best friend for pastimes greener, frequently bullied, ignored by the girl of his dreams, and barely tolerated by disinterested parents, increasingly oppressed by his existential malaise in this small, provincial Welsh town, Jim finds meagre solace in his beloved dog, and obsessively frequent visits to the faintly ominous flea-pit cinema, his ever deepening despond seemingly leavened by the sudden arrival of an enigmatic American misfit Dean (Emile Hirsch), a quixotic figure oozing retrograde beatnik cool, Jim is profoundly beguiled by movie star-handsome Dean's dynamic alpha mystique, but as Jim's popularity increases, mentored by the not altogether altruistic Dean, Jim uncomfortably realises that his newfound social saviour might have far blacker ulterior motives behind his increasingly bizarre actions! The auspicious directing debut by talented actor Craig Roberts has a fascinatingly oblique nature, both uproariously hilarious, and witheringly cruel, 'Just Jim' is never ordinary, with searingly acerbic flashes of Hal Hartley, and Todd Solondz, Robert's lively, off-centred drama is not only fiendishly witty, but roils with a seamy Lynchian menace, ominously suggesting that something truly malign waxes most wickedly beneath the prosaic, humdrum, pebble-dashed veneer of this somnolent Welsh town.

In a Welsh valley a socially inadequate schoolboy is bullied and has no friends. Then a mysterious American moves in next door and promises to turn him into a cool teenager. Low budget black comedy set in the Rhymni Valley, this is a writing and directing debut by Craig Roberts who plays the title character. Full use is made of the local scenery but, while the film has its moments, overall it lacks a spark.

A lonely teenagers life is transformed upon the arrival of his American next door neighbour. This is a very quirky dark comedy that will not appeal to everyone. After a relatively sluggish start setting up the situation things pick up with the arrival of mysterious American Emile Hirsch. Emile Hirsch is great and Craig Roberts who bears an uncanny resemblance and acting style to Martin Freeman is also superb as the unpopular kid trying to improve his social standing. Despite the good acting this is a hit and miss affair. There are some good ideas here and some good scenes but too many of them fall flat. The pacing isn't great and it seems to bounce from place to place without any real direction. Overall this isn't a bad film it's just a bit too way out there for my taste and I doubt I'd watch it again.

The script feels like a very early draft. I'm not convinced that the scriptwriter (who also directs and plays the lead) knew precisely what he was trying to achieve; he certainly didn't seem to know how to effectively convey his intention. There seem to be some ideas here about feeling the need to conform (to transform oneself) versus staying true to oneself. But the film peters out without having

Diminutive Craig Roberts did a memorable turn in the BBC3 series Being Human. In Just Jim he stars as well as directing and writing the film. He plays lonely Welsh teenager Jim, who is a bit of a social outcast. Even his dog runs away from him. Then a mysterious American called Dean (Emile Hirsch) moves next door to him and Dean is modelled on a rebellious James Dean. He makes Jim look cool by giving him a kind of 50s American look. Jim's newly rebellious attitude lands him in trouble at school and it is left open ended if Dean is just a figment of an over- imaginative teenage brain. This is a slight coming of age story with a jagged tonal shift in the latter part of the film. It is a little bit weird and off kilter but really does not amount to much.

Film about a vulnerable boy who is exploited by a psychopath. I don't see any black comedy in it at all. What is funny about it? It's just one long depressing bad dream sequence. Having being a fan of Nighty night, I know what black comedy is. This is NOT a comedy.

If you enjoy black comedy, deliberate pacing, and having to come to your own conclusions on plot ambiguity - think Barton Fink for example - then you're in for a treat. If you need a neatly resolved ending, you'll be frustrated. As the former I loved it. Excellent direction, photography, and score; tight performances - I'm looking forward to his next. Makes a good double-bill with Aki Kaurismäki's "The Match Factory Girl".

It's all been done before. Teenager is a bit of a misfit, new friend helps him gain confidence (with some drugs, booze and shoplifting along the way). Jim is Welsh, but I couldn't hear an accent. Tries a little hard to be quirky and odd, but it's all been done before. Nothing new here. Shame the BBC felt the need to use our licence fee money to part fund this (the BBC licence is compulsory and paid by every UK household and establishment who has a TV. Its fine/prison if we don't have one).