Just Jim (15)

Directed by Craig Roberts

4/5

ONE of the most enduring and at times unpalatable traditions of British cinema is the frequent use of US actors in order to make films more saleable across the pond.

Here, however, the casting of Hollywood’s Emile Hirsch is justified. In a small-scale but largely effective riff on a familiar theme, he convinces as Dean, whose unexpected arrival in a bland Welsh town catalyses the coming of age of oddball teenager Jim (Craig Roberts). 

Roberts scores an unexpected triple whammy as star, screenwriter and director. The 24-year-old star of Richard Ayoade’s Submarine makes the most of his (hormonally?) conflicted character, who rightly snaps: “I’m 17!” when his parents wish him a happy 16th birthday. 

It’s a moment typifying the eponymous hero’s less than inspiring life.

He’s bullied at school, his parents dote on his younger sister rather than on him, his one pal finds favour with the girl Jim fancies and then dumps him to join the cool crowd.

He’s left friendless, reduced to repeatedly watching old films at the local cinema and playing computer games. Even his pet dog walks out on him.

Which is the point when the older, cynical and super-cool Dean moves in next door and transforms his life. Suddenly Jim has a friend, an ideal role model who smokes, swears and is everything else he believes he would like to become. 

Hirsch’s performance, amusing and irritating by turns, makes it obvious that he’s channeling conflicted Hollywood legend James Dean and he does it entertainingly. You might expect, therefore, that Jim will become a revivified rebel without a cause but you’d be wrong.

While Just Jim sometimes fails to hit the mark, Roberts’s notable directorial debut ends with a convincing, although emotionally bleak, resolution.He delivers a first film which, if flawed, has plenty of promise.