Jimmy's Hall 2014

     The time of this film is 1932 and it is based on true events.  Jimmy Gralton has left New York to return to his family home in the Irish countryside.  He had been deported and has been away for ten years.  His widowed mother Alice is happy to see him and all his friends are happy to see him too.  Father Sheridan, the local priest and Dennis O’Keefe, the village squire both have a different feeling.  Jimmy is a socialist activist and he’s considered to be an intruder.  Jimmy reopens the local Pearse-Connolly Hall so the village people can gather to sing, dance, paint, study or box.  As soon as the hall is open, Father Sheridan and Dennis O’Keefe are going to do all they can to close it up again.

     There is a lot going on in the background in this village of wealth or poverty.  The wealthy want to hold down the poor.  The Church and the legal system have a heavy grip on all but the wealthy.  Nothing will change unless someone has the courage to step up and demand change.  Sometimes I had a difficult time paying attention because the reason for some events is not explained.  3* (This movie is OK)

109 min, Drama directed by Ken Loach with Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry, Simone Kirby, Stella McGirl, Sorcha Fox, Martin Lucey, Mikel Murfi, Shane O’Brien, Denise Gough, Jim Norton, Aisling Franciosi.

Note:   Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 77% critic 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 33 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Killanummery and Drumsna Counties, Leitrim, Ireland and also the Police Station, Sligo, Ireland.