Jim: The James Foley Story (2016) User Reviews

An Honest & Emotional Account

[JordanSatmary · 9/10 · 27 January 2016]

The emotional depth of this documentary is vast, impressive, immersive. In "Jim", James Foley is beautifully dissected as one of the most honest and kind-hearted conflict journalists of any time.

I find it hard to review this film because of how powerful the entire experience was. I teared up half a dozen times, I couldn't find many words to say to my friends afterwards and neither could they. The documentary seemed to have taken control of us. But the moment that topped off the experience was after the Sundance screening, the director, James Foley's parents, and the young French journalist that was in captivity with James came out for a Q&A. The entire 500 seat audience gave a standing ovation, many in tears.

I'm not sure how else to explain it without giving anything away. It was hard to stomach some of the more graphic and real images from inside Syria. Overall it was an incredible viewing experience, one that needs to be shared with as many people as possible. Especially in 2016 when ISIS appears to be a real threat.

Truth from the Field

[clarkj-565-161336 · 9/10 · 8 April 2016]

I saw this at a sell out crowd at Hot Docs Toronto last night. All I can say is that there wasn't a dry eye anywhere next to me. What I thought was really moving was what the director said. He wanted the world to see his friend Jim Foley as he really was, not by the various stories and false accounts that were circulating. What comes across loud and clear is that everyone that encountered Jim was impressed by his ability to connect with people no matter what their circumstances and also his lack of guile or ulterior motive. If ever there was the right person at the right time he was it. Although our world is totally connected, there is a huge lack of timely and correct information. We desperately need the Jim Foleys of this world.

On the battlefront with a camera.

[Reno-Rangan · 8/10 · 24 February 2017]

I thought it had a chance at the Oscars. But after checking out the nominees again, I realised it's in there, except a place in the list of Original Song. Having watched it, I know it is not a masterpiece as it should have been, but the film's intention was fulfilled. They have revealed everything we wanted to know. Everything from the Jim's perspective, though his friends and family. In some way this film can be compared to 'Into the Wild'. The only difference is what kind of challenge those two were chosen to face. In one, about the nature and in another, made made.

A man with no ambition, but he was desperate to do something and then finally he discovered what it is. So James Foley was an average American and had his family's backing of whatever he wanted to do with his life. But shocked them by announcing to be a photojournalist on the battlefront. His first volunteer assignment was in Libya. Made a few friends and ventured together to get what they wanted. Soon a terrible thing happened, but he did not back off. Following that he went to Syria and can he be second time lucky, is what the remaining tale discloses for us.

❝Jim has a million dollar resume and a ten cent interview.❞

First of all, I knew Jame Foley story through the media coverages when it hit the headline a couple of years ago. But I did not know this film was based on that, until I saw it. Not easy to watch if you have already known what's going to happen at the end or seen the original clip. I was uncomfortable watching the entire film. Because I think I'm too soft for such kind of conclusion. All I know is if it was the Bush administration, the response would have been different.

The film was directed by the Jim's childhood friend. I hope someday someone would make a feature film based on this documentary. If you had seen 'A Thousand Time Good Night', you would know what it is like to be in a combat zone. A similar kind of film, but the result was different. Those being the conflict journalists are really very brave to be at the frontline with the cameras, not the guns. Bullets and bombs flying everything, just one hit, totally fatal. Hats off to them to let us know what's happening in those parts of the world.

It covered well, all the basic information about Jim, before entering to the crucial section. When you know enough about him, you start to feel and see from his perspective. There are some recreated accounts, just to give the original effect. But you have to have your own imagination, as much as possible realistic like when you do for reading books. Because that's where it little slipped away, otherwise, and still it is a great documentary. This is a must see film, particularly if you are familiar with the name James Foley.

8/10

Journalism 101...

[poe-48833 · 10/10 · 22 February 2016]

James Foley was one of those crazy-brave journalists who are the very backbone of any legitimate 21st century Democracy- someone who quite literally put it all on the line to tell us all just what the f--- was REALLY going on around the world. DEMOCRACY NOW! was where I first saw Foley, and I was impressed from the first; like Amy Goodman and everyone else I've discovered on DEMOCRACY NOW!, Foley risked his life to get to the Truth and to present it to the world. His final moments are hard to watch (and here I'm talking about what we see in JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY; I have no morbid interest whatsoever in seeing the rest). This documentary is as much a tribute to the Spirit of True Journalism as it is to the man who inspired it.

A true account that lingers in your head

[niteliterr · 10/10 · 21 February 2019]

This is a documentary that lingered in my head for awhile...so much so, that I want to watch it again with my wife. Not wanting to spoil anything, the story does not detail so much of the gory side of this story, but it concentrates more on what seemed to go on in his head through those closest to him. James Foley was a rare breed as far as journalists go... he did not let danger get in the way of his reporting, but at the same time, he did not have a death wish. Once he was captured the world got to know who James Foley was, how he did what he did and what a good natured person he was. Do yourself a favor and watch this... I am fairly sure it will linger in your mind... in a good way.

A riveting documentary about one man's amazing life and horrifying journey to death.

[jldivelbiss · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

I don't know where to begin. This documentary deserves all the praise. It's everything a documentary should be. Is it perfect? No. But it has enough details given by those who lived through it and knew James Foley best. That is what a documentary is all about. A beautiful tribute to a life once lived out for justice and truth. A must watch in my book.

Moving

[e_demuynck · 10/10 · 4 November 2019]

A must see, moved me and thought of it a lot afterwards, lingers in the mind. Very profound and heart goes out to his family, a beautiful person

Flawed for its omissions

[swjg · 5/10 · 19 June 2017]

Director Brian Oakes explores the life and death of his childhood friend - independent journalist James Foley - beheaded by ISIS in 2014.

I saw it at an open air showing in Newport, RI where a co-writer was there for the talkback.

-- You may remember the ISIS video beheading James Foley which caused such a stir in 2014. So the documentary explores his childhood, jobs that lead him to becoming an independent photojournalist and family reaction to his kidnapping and death. James is also portrayed through the testimony of his fellow captors who were freed.

-- HOWEVER with no disrespect intended to those who made the documentary and to James' family who suffered the loss......

The film is flawed for its omissions. James Foley lost his accreditation with the US Army as an embedded journalist for less than stellar behavior while working with them. It also states that the US government did nothing to secure his release while other governments worked to secure the release of their journalists.

The documentary omits to point out the clear difference between those journalists whose governments were not bombing Syria and the USA which was and which put it in no negotiating position. Shockingly while repeatedly stating the US Government did NOTHING - the film omits completely a Delta Force raid that took place a month before his death to free him and other journalists. The raid failed not through poor execution - the Delta force came out of the raid unscathed - but because after months of tracking his whereabouts from one jail to the next - the raid went in and just missed him as he was moved yet again to another place of captivity.

These omissions of clear fact - badly weaken some of the documentary's other assertions which one can't help question as a result.

The interviews with other captives who were imprisoned with James are overly long. Well intended though they are - more should have ended up on the cutting room floor to tighten up the story.

Though it is briefly mentioned that large press agencies have slashed budgets and that many independent photo journalists work on shoe string budgets the full implications of this are not explored. James comes across as naïve at best with no training as to how to act in a war zone. Accidental engagement and death of a fellow journalist in the front line is treated as sad but an exhilarating adventure. And though he personally chose to wear a helmet and small vest - it was nothing to that which news organizations like the BBC make their journalists wear after extensive training.

Perhaps the best 30 seconds of the whole affair is an almost throw away remark by a fellow journalist: "ISIS is at war with journalists because we tell the truth and expose their regime for what it really is" If the film had concentrated on that statement and the lousy budgets of news organizations who no longer have foreign bureau to tell stories well - leading to well intended but untrained journalists in the field - it would have made a better film.

This is an emotive subject so YMMV.

Jim: The James Foley Story

[jboothmillard · 5/10 · 8 April 2017]

I only found this documentary film because it received a nomination at the Oscars, I probably would never have watched it without this knowledge, but when I read more about it, it did sound interesting. Basically in August 2014, a video emerged on YouTube, entitled "A Message to America", posted by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq), that showed American journalist James "Jim" Foley. In it he is kneeling in the desert next to a masked, black-clad ISIS terrorist, reading a long (scripted) message expressing regret, after he stops the executioner condemns the U.S. airstrikes, then brutally beheads Foley, the actual moment of Foley's decapitation is unseen, but his beheaded corpse is shown. This video was widely spread, viewed and commented on, it was confirmed as being authentic, the murder of Foley was confirmed, and the video was quickly removed from YouTube. This film does not show the video, only snippets of it, directed by Foley's childhood friend Brian Oakes, this gut-wrenching film tells Foley's tragic story, with interviews from his family, friends and colleagues. This includes how Foley started in journalism and video reporting, his work as a freelance war correspondent, and of course his capture in November 2012 in northwestern Syria, disappearing for two years, before the release of the video, Foley became the first American citizen to be killed by ISIS. I did see the video myself before its removal, I have never been so disgusted, not just by the horrific death, but by the brutality and evil of ISIS terrorists, so I am thankful that this film was respectful, talking positively about the journalist, it does show Foley and his good times, obviously it is a sad story, but it is a good insight into the character, work, captivity and legacy of the man, an interesting documentary. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Original Song for "The Empty Chair" by J. Ralph and Sting. Worth watching!