There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)

Directed by: John Hay | 106 minutes | drama, family, sports | Actors: Lewis McKenzie, Jane Lapotaire, Gina McKee, Ben Miller, Wayne Galtrey, Ciaran Griffiths, Bobby Power, Robert Carlyle, Samia Smith, Antony Marsh, Sean Delaney, Charles Denton, Azmier Ahmed, John McArdle, Ann Aris

Youth films and clichés, it really shouldn’t be an issue. After all, the adult viewer soon rubs the heart because of the twinkle in the eyes of his children. With ‘There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble’ we are in two minds, because although the film combines a generous childhood moral with a loving portrait of the Manchester football culture and music scene (soundtrack), what happens to our main character is all very pathetic. A hunky-eyed teenager is bullied at school and his single mother is never home or has lingerie nights with girlfriends while his umpteenth stepdad takes his bedroom to watch TV, my dear.

It would all still be bearable if lead actor Lewis McKenzie showed a bit of real sadness – the viewers could well have that, because they get served more that is not intended for all ages, such as adulterous, fighting, yes, struggling through life adults and such, but ‘There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble’ sells the childhood dream of football glory unadulterated and while it’s indestructible, it must be executed strongly, given a formidable source of inspiration like ‘Billy’s Boots’ (‘Charlie and the Wondersloffen’) – that already based was on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Little Red Shoes’.

McKenzie cannot give depth to his role; Robert Carlyle’s supporting role (‘Trainspotting’; ‘The Full Monty’) is also a disappointment; although Carlyle appears to be perfectly cast, his portrayal of a crippled football coach is hardly worth mentioning. Gina McKee (‘Naked’; ‘Notting Hill’) is a good mother and along with boyfriend Johnny (Ben Miller) – a flopping Harley rider – takes care of the roles with (tragic) humor; with the in and in sad Northern English suburbs constantly in the picture and a modest, but glorious denouement, ‘Jimmy Grimble’ is also quite a finished film, which ten to twelve year olds cannot fall for. Are you older and still in possession of uncomplicated expectations for the future, then the excess of feel-good that is poured over you may also charm you; everyone else will have to be content with the decent soundtrack, based on music from the Manchester scene (Charlatans, EMF, Stone Roses) from the early 1990s.