There's Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)

Truly Dreadful Film

Absolutely brilliant

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

There's Only One Jimmy Grimble is a very simple film of whimsy and football, a tale of a young 15 year old Manchester misfit who learns some life lessons when he encounters a strange old homeless dear who gives him a pair of magical old boots. So yes, boys own fanciful stuff for sure, but it has such a warm heart, is loaded with dry Lancastrian wit, and threaded together with such an affection for the sport and teenage growing pains, that's it's impossible to dislike. The cast list is impressive, with Ray Winstone, Robert Carlyle, Gina McKee, Ben Miller and Jane Lapotaire keeping the ball up for the adults, while in the youngsters half we have Lewis McKenzie as Jimmy scoring well by being naturally uneasy in front of the camera, and Samia Smith has the required charm and feistiness to make the tricky "girlfriend" role work very well.There's good football action for the footie loving fan, with serious tension filled sequences sitting next to some truly funny ones; anyone who played for their school football team will identify with the "different" sort of teams Jimmy and co have to play against, and some of the young characterisations will definitely strike a chord with most British folk who played sport at school. The drama is well played, with director John Hay letting his actors imbue the narrative with the right amount of emotional weight, the soundtrack is contains ideal poundings from bands up North and John De Boorman's cinematography is suitably bleak and beautiful at the requisite junctures.It has flaws for sure, any film fan could pick holes in this without really trying, and familiarity of the sub-genre undoubtedly stops it blooming with freshness. But why gripe? Film achieves its aims, it wants to leave you with a feel good glow and delivers on that promise. High art it's not, perfect British footie pick me up? Indeed. All together now, "there's only one Jimmy Grimble, one Jimmy Grimble". 7/10

A movie about soccer... I guess only English filmmakers can make it really work. Because a movie about soccer isn't just about the sport alone: it's a way of living. It's the soccer on tele, it's the soccer on the schoolyard, it's the soccer in the pub, it's the soccer in the stadium... If you watch Jimmy Grimble you know that the writer and director really understand and love the sport. It really shows. After watching this movie for probably the tenth time I thought it was time to comment on it on the IMDb. Cause movies like these, well, they just deserve a big audience. Jimmy Grimble is a boy with a lot of problems. Every day some bullies beat him up, his mother dates the wrong guy and he wants so much play for the school soccer team that it hurts. Finally his wish is granted. He joins the schoolteam as the 12th player but before the first match Gordon (the headbully)throws away his soccerboots. Jimmy decides to try the shoes he got from an old lady. And wow, these boots look like magical ones! Suddenly Jimmy Grimble becomes a great player that leads his team to the school finals. There's only one person who isn't happy with this: his arch enemy Gordon. He'll do anything to make him fail... What I like so much about this movie is the story. It's about more than just soccer. An important role is played by the always brilliant and daring Robert Carlisle as the coach of the schoolteam. Once he was an important player for Man City, but something happened that took his life in a total different direction. Carlisle isn't afraid of portraying a person who sometimes behaves cowardly and insecure (like in 28 Weeks Later). He gives his character a natural sadness and humanity. Come to think of it, the whole cast is brilliant. Bobbie Powell as the head bully - a funny David Beckham look-a-like - is great to watch. Man, he's evil! Too bad he and actor Lewis McKenzie (who plays Jimmy Grimble) didn't act much after this movie. There's only one Jimmy Grimble is a brilliant piece of work. Maybe even the best movie about soccer ever. And of course it contains the immortal line in case you don't know what to do with the ball in a soccer match: "Just GIVE IT TO GORDON!"Go watch it!9/10

Light entertainment. It's a nice change from the car chases and guns we see too much of. Story of a boy who wants to be a soccer star. Nice boy, bullies, nice soccer action. Simple, but entertaining.Sports scenes are well done. Story is a bit simplistic, but that's okay.

I've now seen this film 5 or 6 times on satellite TV, and bought it on DVD. The first time I saw it I wasn't really watching and so wasn't convinced, but thought it was good. The second time, I watched it seriously ... and thought it absolutely brilliant.For myself, an Englishman who always wanted to be a footballer but without the necessary talent (or any talent), this is a story of dreams come true. Of a home-life that is far from perfect, but with a mother who loves you. And a teacher who used to be a striker at the highest level. How much better can it get?There's great acting from Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Gina McKee and Samia Ghandie; and a brilliant soundtrack reinforcing the emotionally key moments of the film. The side-plots are subtly handled and the ending has made me cry more than once.Wonderful ..... especially if you have always wanted to be a great footballer but never made it, or have been unlucky in love. Recommended.