Mr. Jimmy

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3:06

Mr. Jimmy

Released Sep 1, 2023

1h 52m

Documentary

Music

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, teenaged Akio Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another world with a pair of headphones and a pile of Led Zeppelin records. Moving to Tokyo, Akio worked as a kimono salesman by day, but by night became "Mr. Jimmy," adopting the guitar chops and persona of Jimmy Page. For 35 years, Akio recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until the real Jimmy Page stopped by one night, and Akio's life changed forever. Inspired by Mr. Page's ovation, Akio quits his "salary man" job, leaving behind his family to move to Los Angeles and join "Led Zepagain." Soon cultures clash, and Akio's idyllic vision of America meets with reality.

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

[Sticks] to Mr. Jimmy's career travails in the States before landing with a "Spinal Tap"-redolent happy ending.

Sep 14, 2023

Full Review

David Browne

Rolling Stone

In our current universe, where followers give themselves over to their entertainment or culture-warrior heroes with undying devotion and zero questioning, his devotion to honoring this particular house of the old is sweet, almost noble.

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Keith Uhlich

The Hollywood Reporter

It's... the very slipperiness of Sakurai's passion - to humbly become the god he worships - that continually compels.

Mar 9, 2019

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Splice Today

It’s a fascinating film, with the exploration of an oddball subculture and the people who propel it with their obsessions.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Miyako Pleines

Spectrum Culture

Through an exploration of the life of an ex-kimono salesman who has dedicated his life to emulating Jimmy Page, Mr. Jimmy is a unique look at what it means to pay tribute to the things you love.

Sep 6, 2023

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

One has to admire Sakurai’s unwavering homage to Page for so many years – but the one unanswered question I have is – why?

Rated: B

Sep 1, 2023

Full Review

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Ruta R

Loved it....total dedication to his art! Awe inspired.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

Full Review

Dusty S

What if Picasso spent his entire career imitating Michelangelo? Well Mr. jimmy did exactly that only his brush was a guitar.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Mad H

Fabulous biographical documentary on Jimmy Sakurai aka Mr. Jimmy who has spent decades dedicating himself to accurately performing as Jimmy Page. Sakurai is far from being an impersonator, however, and is in fact an extraordinarily gifted and talented musician who can perform and play any of Jimmy Page's music to utter perfection. Watching him precisely play the most complex of Page's riffs and solos will not only blow you away by Mr. Jimmy's playing - it will make you fully more appreciate the talents of Jimmy Page himself who originally composed all of this very complicated and beautiful music. Some consider Jimmy Page to be the greatest guitar player of all time and this documentary certainly supports that argument. This is not only about the guitar playing or music - Mr Jimmy actually looks like Jimmy Page and has all of Jimmy Page's idiosyncrasies as he plays. He also has created and uses Jimmy Page's guitars and wardrobe, also recreated precisely. If you are a fan of the Electric Guitar or Led Zeppelin or Rock and Roll or just music in general this is a must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/23

Full Review

Andrew B

A bizarre but extremely interesting portrait of a man drawn to perfection at a niche but meaningful art: the complete death of his own ego and rebirth as the Robert Plant that existed at specific concerts and moments in time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/23

Full Review

Chris Z

I've seen Mr Sakurai many times live whether with Led Zepagain tribute band or with Jason Bonham and JBLZE and he's just what the critics say he is. Fantastic. Passion personified - and he brings so much joy and fun to the music of Led Zeppelin. How can you argue with Jimmy Page himself who gave Akio his seal of approval? A must-see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/25

Full Review

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Peter Michael Dowd

Director

Jimmy Page

Self

Jason Bonham

Self

Frankie Banali

Self

Rie Nakahara

Self

Peter Michael Dowd

Producer

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Mr. Jimmy: Trailer 1

3:06

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Synopsis

In snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, teenaged Akio Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another world with a pair of headphones and a pile of Led Zeppelin records. Moving to Tokyo, Akio worked as a kimono salesman by day, but by night became "Mr. Jimmy," adopting the guitar chops and persona of Jimmy Page. For 35 years, Akio recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until the real Jimmy Page stopped by one night, and Akio's life changed forever. Inspired by Mr. Page's ovation, Akio quits his "salary man" job, leaving behind his family to move to Los Angeles and join "Led Zepagain." Soon cultures clash, and Akio's idyllic vision of America meets with reality.

Director: Peter Michael Dowd
Producer: Peter Michael Dowd
Distributor: Abramorama
Genre: Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 25, 2024
Runtime: 1h 52m

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