Native American World War II veteran Jimmy Picard (Benicio del Toro) arrives at a clinic in 1948 with a derailed life and a whole bunch of symptoms. The problem is, the doctors can’t find a physical cause. Could his troubles be psychological? To find out, they call in anthropologist Georges Devereux (Mathieu Almaric), who hasn’t really got his life together either, and the two men start to talk. Well, at least Devereux does. Eventually his exuberance proves somewhat contagious, and Jimmy begins to relate his dreams and emotions.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t an action movie. It’s based on a book-length case study, Reality and Dream, by the real Georges Devereux. Published in 1951, it remains the only book about psychoanalysis to transcribe an entire analysis, session after session, in minute detail. Writer/director Arnaud Desplechin and his co-writers condense this into a story of a couple of misfits who end up helping each other.

Note: This film is in English. There are no subtitles.

Jimmy P. – NR – 116 min – Tickets $7
Director: Arnaud Desplechin; Starring Benicio del Toro, Mathieu Almaric.
Fri, March 14: 7:00 p.m.
Sat, March 15: 5:00 p.m.
Sun, March 16: 5:00 p.m.
Thurs, March 20: 7:00 p.m.

Nominated for Best Film César (French Academy Awards), 2014
Village Voice – Critic’s Pick
Film Comment – Film of the Week
The Boston Globe

Eye on Film – Interview with Jimmy P. screenwriter Kent Jones