Patty's Picks: 'Jimmy' explores life and legacy of actor Jimmy Stewart
A new biographical film is shining a spotlight on the life of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, exploring a lesser-known chapter of his story: his service as a military pilot during World War II.
Film critic Patty Spitler featured the movie, titled “Jimmy,” in her latest edition of Patty’s Picks, highlighting how Stewart’s experiences in the military helped shape the man behind some of Hollywood’s most memorable performances.
Stewart, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1908 and died in 1997, appeared in more than 80 films throughout his career. Known for portraying relatable, everyday characters facing challenges, he also earned an Academy Award for his role in the 1940 film “The Philadelphia Story.”
However, his accomplishments extended beyond the big screen.
After winning the Oscar, Stewart enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and became a bomber pilot. He went on to complete more than 20 combat missions, a chapter of his life that the new film explores.
Spitler said she was surprised to learn more about Stewart’s military service and how it influenced his life and later performances, including his role in the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“I kind of pride myself on knowing a lot about entertainers, but I didn’t know this about Jimmy Stewart,” Patty said. “It certainly helps to create a character that was perhaps even bigger than what we see in the movies. So he was an actor and a hero as well.”
Actor KJ Apa portrays Stewart in the film. Patty also praised Apa’s performance, noting his ability to capture Stewart’s distinctive voice and accent.
The film runs two hours and is rated PG-13. How many stars does Patty give it? Watch and see!
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