Sophie Hyde’s film *Jimpa* is presented by multiple outlets as a semi-autobiographical queer family drama that centers on sexual identity and intergenerational relationships. The story follows Hannah, played by Olivia Colman, who travels from Australia to Amsterdam with her husband and her non-binary child, Frances, portrayed by Hyde’s own child. The trip is intended to connect with Hannah’s father, Jim, played by John Lithgow, whose perspective anchors much of the family’s history. Lithgow’s character is described as a charismatic gay man who comes out to his wife and daughters in the early 1970s and later leaves them to live in Amsterdam as a lecturer and campaigner on social issues, including housing and HIV.
While both reviews characterize the performances as committed and noteworthy—particularly for Colman and Lithgow—they differ in how fully the film’s approach works. One outlet says the film feels indulgent and lacks the spark of Hyde’s earlier work, while another argues it could be more daring in its storytelling choices. Both coverage emphasizes the film’s focus on family dynamics and identity, even as they raise concerns about pacing, tone, or creative risk.
