Raise your hand if It’s a Wonderful Life is part of your holiday tradition. We all know George Bailey, the guy who’s had enough, runs to the bridge, and learns that no life is small. But have you ever wondered what was going on in the heart of the man who played him? There’s a new movie in theaters right now that answers that question, and I think it’s going to be one of those “get the whole family together” outings this season.
JIMMY is the untold true story of America’s most beloved actor and the iconic role that saved him. The film focuses on the most transformative stretch of Jimmy Stewart’s life, and it opens when he’s on top of the world, fresh off winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Philadelphia Story. Then he walks away from Hollywood to enlist and become a combat pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the start of World War II. Stewart flew twenty missions over Europe and rose to the rank of colonel by the end of the war. According to the film, he came home broken and disheartened. And that’s when George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life came calling.
That last part is what got me. We tend to picture war heroes marching off into the sunset, but real life is messier than that. Coming home can be its own kind of battle, and a lot of families know that well. Whether it’s a veteran in your own family, a hard season you’ve walked through, or just one of those years that wore you out, there’s something hopeful about watching a man find his footing again. I have a feeling I’ll never watch Bedford Falls the same way after this one. It’s also a great excuse for a night out, with something for grandparents, parents, and big kids alike. Grab the popcorn.
Seeing it is easy. JIMMY is playing through Fathom Entertainment, with showtimes listed from November 6 through November 19. Head to the film’s website, enter your city or zip code to see theaters near you, pick your date, and click “Get Tickets” to choose the time that works for you. Fathom events run for a limited window rather than a long theatrical release, so don’t wait until the last weekend to decide. Showtimes can be limited depending on your local theater.
And if JIMMY gets you in the mood for a rewatch, Fathom is also bringing It’s a Wonderful Life back to the big screen for its 80th anniversary, December 18 through December 25.
So grab your people, bundle up, and go meet the man behind George Bailey.
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