Ken Loach’s 49th film is set in County Leitrim in 1932, and centres around Jimmy Gralton, the only Irishman who was ever deported from his country.
He is a political activist who returns to Ireland at the end of the civil war after ten years in New York.
He had to leave because he had opened a dance hall that was not welcomed by the church and local landowners. At first he is reluctant, but he reopens his hall after the youth begs him to. It is a space to read, think, sing and dance. Yet Jimmy’s socialist ideas do not fare well with his old foes.
While the film has some strong moments and beautiful imagery, it cannot live up to work like The Wind that shakes the Barley.
It is a strong story but some of the scenes make it too longwinded. Especially the dancing at the hall, which though nicely filmed, get in the way of the plot.
Barry Ward gives a good performance as Jimmy but the flashbacks at the beginning feel too forced. His relationship with his former love Oonagh (Simone Kirby) also feels overdramatised, as if it had been put into the film just for the sake of having an emotional side. 
The portrayal of Father Sheridan by Jim Norton is brilliant. Breathing fire down Jimmy’s neck, he convinces with his stern and witty performance. One almost believes that he is right in trying to forbid his parish harmless dancing and reading, or as he says, “the losangelisation of our people”.
In the end, and despite its weaknesses, Jimmy’s Hall is 109 minutes well spent. The heavy dialogue will keep you on your toes while the authentic characters will convince you with their loyalty to their friend Jimmy.
