Don’t expect a jukebox musical based on Jimi Hendrix’s career, since his estate wouldn’t allow director John Ridley to use any of his music. But, paradoxically, that restriction may have resulted in a better biopic.

Instead, this is an impressionistic look at 1966-67, the period in which he was discovered by Keith Richards’ girlfriend Linda Keith (a terrific Imogen Poots) and went from being sideman Jimmy James to the influential legend he remains today.

OutKast’s Andre Benjamin aces the title role with intuition and flair. A cover of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” steals the show. Japanese title: Jimi: Eiko e no Kiseki. (118 min)