Jimmy's Hall (2015)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on September 8, 2015 @ tonymacklin.net.

In Jimmy's Hall, a young priest (Andrew Scott), says of the main character Jimmy Gralton (Barry Ward), "He's a maverick alright, but he's a lightweight maverick."

That sums up the film.

Director Ken Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty - influenced by Donal O'Kelly's play Jimmy Gralton's Dancehall - take a shot at cruelty and prejudice, but it's a glancing blow.

Jimmy's Hall is the story of an actual Irish activist, who was exiled and went to New York in 1922. He returned to his rural home town in Ireland ten years later.

On his return, he still has a reputation as a battler, and the young people want him to reopen the community center so they can dance, read, and spar.

Jimmy's Hall is more Plotloose than Footloose.

Loach and Laverty introduce a fictional love interest for Jimmy. She's Oonagh (Simone Kirby), and though she has married and has children she still has a strong attraction to Jimmy. Twice when they embrace, Loach makes sure we see she is wearing a wedding ring.

Jimmy's Hall softens most of its blows. In a world steeped in violence, there are only two scenes that are galvanic - a beating and a fire.

Laverty's screenplay nudges rather than punches. It's the free spirits versus the "masters and pastors." But the film pasteurizes the pastors. Near the end, Laverty has Jimmy's fervent antagonist Father Sheridan (Jim Norton) in his final line praise Jimmy against the priest's own allies. Where did that come from? The church of contrivance.

The best element in the film is the cast, especially Barry Ward as Jimmy and Norton as his relentless adversary. Throughout the film, the two lock horns. Actually only Jimmy has horns; priests never have horns, do they?

Simone Kirby is quietly effective as Oonagh.

It's ironic that Andrew Scott portrays the perceptive young priest. In BBC-TV's Sherlock, he plays Moriarity.

First-time actress Eileen Henry brings authentic humanity to the part of Jimmy's mother.

The film probably would have been better if it were told from the point of view of Marie (Aisling Franciosi). She's a brave, young woman who is evolving. She is both victim and one who prevails. If the film concentrated on her, the ending would not have been so anti-climactic.

Jimmy's Hall is the kind of film that emphasizes how you have to pick sides. One is cruel; the other is vulnerable.

Contemporary media often proposes the ideal that you have to show the two sides as equal. Those who believe "the world is flat" should be given equal respect.

But, whichever side you pick, they aren't equal. Do you pick power or the lack of power? Do you pick knowledge or ignorance?

Father Sheridan asks Jimmy's mother, "Where would you be without a nice cup of tea?"

She answers, "Absolutely lost, Father."

At least Jimmy's Hall puts a little splash of Irish whiskey in the tea.