Jimmy P. is a 2013 French-American drama film directed by Arnaud Desplechin. The film stars Benicio Del Toro as Jimmy Picard, a World War II veteran who returns to the United States after serving in France and begins experiencing a range of unexplained symptoms, including headaches, deafness, and severe pain. As his condition deteriorates, he is referred to a specialist hospital in Topeka, Kansas, where he is diagnosed with schizophrenia.
At the hospital, Jimmy meets Georges Devereux (Mathieu Amalric), a French psychoanalyst who specializes in treating Native American patients. Working with Devereux, Jimmy begins to open up about his experiences during the war and his struggles with identity and belonging as a Native American living in a predominantly white society. Together, they examine Jimmy's life and experiences, searching for ways to heal his psychological and spiritual wounds.
Throughout the film, we see flashbacks to Jimmy's time in France during the war, as well as his early life on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. These segments offer a glimpse into the complex history and culture of Native American communities, highlighting the trauma and discrimination they have experienced over the centuries.
Overall, Jimmy P. is a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of trauma, identity, and the healing power of empathy and understanding. Del Toro and Amalric both give powerful performances, and the film features beautiful cinematography and an evocative score.
