Disclaimer:I’m a blind film critic. Typically I watch film with audio description. I did not have one for this screening, nor am I aware if one exists.

In GALECA, the Society for LGBTQ Film Critics, we do still love to nominate films every year with negligible to non-existent LGBTQ representation, almost always pushing some of the more cringey titles to the side. Despite the presence of Olivia Coleman and John Lithgow, my prediction is that this film will be forgotten come awards season. It’s a shame.

Jimpa, being released by Kino Lober, stars Olivia Coleman as a photographer and mother to a teenager that has chosen to reveal their pronouns and identity as non-binary. They (Aud Mason Hyde) are 16 and just starting to explore what possibilities the world has to offer them, and their mother feels so inspired to consider making a film about her gay father (John Lithgow), who is adorably called Jimpa, and taking her teenager with her so they can experience the queer glory of Jimpa and Amsterdam. Jimpa is finishing up his final year of teaching at a University, and is attached to a younger man, Steven, and it is clear that ever since coming out of the closet, Jimpa has been proudly living out loud as much as possible, and cultivating an eclectic group of friends on the sliding scale of orientation and identity. Jimpa is intrigued by his grandchild Francis, and their determination to be non-binary, and in all of this Coleman is expected to unpack emotional baggage, while also keeping an eye on her child.

The third act suffers without audio description, but I was smitten by Lithgow’s performance. He’s so deliciously over the top, it’s hard not to rate this film as “Yas Queen” and move on from that. Lithgow is such a force, in every conversation, and blissfully unaware he is not the authority on queerness, though he speaks often like he is. He can be a bit dismissive at times of Francis, and as a result there’s an interesting dynamic within his gay bubble, where the old school queens aren’t quite as hip to what the new generation is feeling. Jimpa, while never intentionally derogatory, is quick to make a flippant joke at the expense of Francis.

While Lithgow does steal the show, it really does remain an ensemble film, as his friend circle helps to define this films rainbow blood as much as anything. Coleman is fine, but her role lacks the edge. Even when she attempts to offer color to a conversation, Jimpa dismisses her for being straight. A truly open and diverse group of personalities, would of course have one, but Coleman shrinks away.

Hyde is playing Francis, and while it too is a lovely performance, I did think we could have pushed Francis a bit more as well. I know it is hard to balance when your child is the star, as is the case with director Sofie Hyde, but sometimes you need. Arguably, despite the title of being Jimpa, Hyde stakes as much claim to the narrative, as does Coleman.

Audio description would make the third act far more intelligible. As it stands, despite my score, I’d be cautious of recommending this to blind or low vision users. It opened a week after Melania, and feels so much like counterprogramming, as I can’t imagine there’s a group that wants to see both.

John Lithgow is simply divine in this coming of age story where three generations in the same family all come of their respective ages. Jimpa, you stay.

Fresh: Final Grade: 7.3/10