The Jimmy Show
| The Jimmy Show | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Whaley |
| Written by | Frank Whaley |
| Based on | Veins and Thumbtacks by Jonathan Marc Sherman |
| Produced by | Beni Tadd Atoori Mary Jane Skalski |
| Starring | Frank Whaley Carla Gugino Ethan Hawke |
| Cinematography | Michael Mayers |
| Edited by | Miran Miosic |
| Music by | Georg Brandl Egloff |
| Distributed by | First Look Studios |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Jimmy Show is a 2001 drama written and directed by Frank Whaley, based on the Off-Broadway play Veins and Thumbtacks by Jonathan Marc Sherman.[1] The film stars Whaley, Carla Gugino, and Ethan Hawke. The film premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and also screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]The film centers on the life of Jimmy O'Brien (Frank Whaley), a warehouse clerk by day and a standup comedian by night. He is also a failure as an inventor. He lives with his wife (Carla Gugino), daughter, and a disabled grandmother. Jimmy's aspiration to succeed contrasts sharply with the numbness of his pothead friend Ray (Ethan Hawke), who is just trying to get by. When performing, Jimmy contradicts the role of a comedian and instead uses the stand-up form to relate the tragedies in his life, which causes indifferent to hostile reactions from the audience; however, he also provokes members of the audience. Eventually, Jimmy is fired from his day job for stealing beer, which he abuses, and his wife finally leaves him and takes their daughter. He winds up working at a Middle Eastern fast-food restaurant. At the end of the film, Jimmy runs seemingly aimlessly in different directions in what appears to be him either on the verge of a nervous breakdown or spiritual awakening.
Cast
[edit]- Frank Whaley as Jimmy O'Brien
- Carla Gugino as Annie O'Brien
- Ethan Hawke as Ray
- Lynn Cohen as Ruth
- Jillian Stacom as Wendy
- Spelman M. Beaubrun as Claude
- Sheila Kay Davis as Social Worker
Production
[edit]The film was shot in Staten Island, the same location used by Frank Whaley in his 1999 drama Joe the King.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ^ Stephen Holden (December 13, 2002). "A Small-Time Life Weighted With Big-Time Dreams". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "The Jimmy Show - Miscellaneous notes". Turner Classic Movie Database. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ "Staten Island in Film". oldstatenisland.org. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ "17 Top Movies filmed in Staten Island (NY)". Next Level Pictures. June 8, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
External links
[edit]
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- 2001 films
- 2001 drama films
- American films based on plays
- Films directed by Frank Whaley
- 2001 independent films
- Films set in New Jersey
- Films shot in New Jersey
- Films shot in New York (state)
- American drama films
- 2000s English-language films
- 2000s American films
- English-language drama films
- English-language independent films
- 2000s drama film stubs