gregking4 Review of Jimmy's Hall

Jimmy's Hall (2014)

a howl of outrage at a blatant miscarriage of justice, the abuse of power by both the church and state

[7/10 · 22 August 2014]

There were rumours that Jimmy's Hall would be the final film from Ken Loach, the angry old man and true socialist of British cinema. Working with his regular collaborator Paul Laverty, Loach brings us the story of Jimmy Gralton (Barry Ward), a young Irish man who returned home from America in 1932 following the economic collapse and the Great Depression. A social activist who has seen much of the world, he is fired up with new ideas. Gralton rebuilt the local community hall, which became the hub of social activity for the local farmers, who would dance and celebrate on a Saturday night and then go to Mass on Sunday morning. But it also became a hub for political activism, and it was the latter activity that raised the ire of the local church, in the form of Father Sheridan (Jim Norton), an old fashioned hell and brimstone-style priest who held sway in the village, and the authorities. This was a turbulent time in the history of Ireland, and battle lines were drawn between the local workers and the rich and powerful landowners. Eventually Gralton was arrested and deported without so much as a trial. For a while here it seems as though Loach may lightening up in mood as there is a great deal of warmth and humour to the film. But not so, as Loach still has that fire raging in his belly. By the end, Jimmy's Hall becomes a howl of outrage at a blatant miscarriage of justice, the abuse of power by both the church and state, and the continued oppression of the downtrodden and working classes. The film looks superb thanks to Robbie Ryan's widescreen lensing, and George Fenton's score mixes jazz with traditional Irish music. There is plenty of great Irish music here, but the film also offers a look at the cultural and political landscape of Ireland in the early 1930s. But the broader themes about individual liberty and institutional greed still resonate strongly today and have a contemporary relevance. The accents are a bit on the thick side at times.