Jimmy Zip
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: B
He was
abandoned by his birth parents, has horrible foster parents, and a pyromania
problem. When he tries to get away from
his troubles by going to the city, things get worse before they may or may not
get better in Jimmy Zip (2000). The name may be odd, but this solid film
stars Brendan Fletcher as the title character.
Fletcher has recently been sidetracked by Slasher films like the very
mixed Freddie vs. Jason (2003), but
in real life, he is one of the best actors in his generation. He already stood out in the exceptional cast
of Scott Smith’s excellent Rollercoaster
(1999, reviewed elsewhere on this site).
In what
could have been a disaster turns out to be a solid piece of filmmaking. Writer/producer/director Robert McGinley does
an introduction that actually sells his film short, while the film offers a
diverse and realistic tale of the trials, tribulations, and tainted
opportunities Jimmy finds in the city. The
assortment of characters that he comes across includes a street gang, a
streetwise girl named Sheila (a surprisingly effective performance by Adrienne
Frantz), and a high-level drug kingpin named Rick (Rick Mulkey, convincingly
menacing while being dignified and classy).
What could have been an illegal and comfortable arrangement is thrown
off by Jimmy’s pyromaniac tendencies that get him involved with a homeless
Tourette Syndrome sufferer named Horace (Robert Gossett, convincing in a sea of
such recent roles where the actors failed), who is homeless and also happens to
have an artistic gift.
Just when
the film looks like it might give out or fall short, something interesting
happens to keep it moving. One of the
reasons is that the cast works very well together and the casting is on the money. Another is the chemistry between Fletcher and
Frantz. Most important, though is that
Fletcher is one of the most talented actors of his generation and he can carry
a film. A good film becomes great, a
great one incredible. The more
challenging the material, the more convincing he seems to be. This is a pleasant surprise.
The
letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image is a bit soft and to the right of the bars, you can
see a sliver of the original full frame on certain monitors, but Christopher G.
Tuffy delivers some good shots. The
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no Pro Logic-type surrounds, but is clear enough,
including on the isolated music track.
The actual film was issued theatrically in analog Ultra Stereo surround,
but this is clearer than we are used to with that format, despite the missing
surrounds. The other extras are a brief
intro by the director and the theatrical trailer.
After
setting up just enough exposition on the characters and their background, the
film takes off and when it is over, I actually wanted to know what might happen
to lead characters next. That is rarer
and rarer these days and when it happens, it is a pleasant surprise. The name may be funny now, but when you
finally see Jimmy Zip, your laughs
will turn into smiles and satisfaction.
That is what a hidden treasure is all about.
- Nicholas Sheffo
