Jimmy's Hall (2014)

During the Depression, Jimmy Gralton returns home to Ireland after ten years of exile in America. Seeing the levels of poverty and oppression, the activist in him reawakens and he looks to re-open the dance hall that led to his deportation.

Director:

Ken Loach

Writer:

Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barry Ward	...	Jimmy
Francis Magee	...	Mossie
Aileen Henry	...	Alice
Simone Kirby	...	Oonagh
Stella McGirl	...	Stella
Sorcha Fox	...	Molly
Martin Lucey	...	Dessie
Mikel Murfi	...	Tommy
Shane O'Brien	...	Finn
Denise Gough	...	Tess
Jim Norton	...	Father Sheridan
Aisling Franciosi	...	Marie
Seán T. Ó Meallaigh	...	Journalist
Karl Geary	...	Seán
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Commander O'Keefe

Storyline

1932. Jimmy Gralton is back home in the Irish countryside after ten years of forced exile in the USA. His widowed mother Alice is happy, Jimmy's friends are happy, all the young people who enjoy dancing and singing are happy. Which is not the case of Father Sheridan, the local priest, nor of the village squire, nor of Dennis O'Keefe, the chief of the fascists. The reason is simple: Jimmy is a socialist activist. So when the "intruder" reopens the village hall, thus enabling the villagers to gather to sing, dance, paint, study or box, they take a dim view of the whole thing. People who think and unite are difficult to manipulate, aren't they? From that moment on they will use every means possible to get rid of Jimmy and his "dangerous" hall.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | catholic priest | anti communism | 1930s | year 1932 | 

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Taglines:

Jimmy Gralton's Sin Was to Build a Dance Hall - A Place where People Come to Argue, to Dream and TO DANCE

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and a scene of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Jim Norton stated that his character, Father Sheridan, was the complete opposite to his own attitude and feelings.

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Goofs

Tobacco consumption (cigarettes, snuff and pipes) was extremely widespread at the time, yet none of the characters are seen to smoke, even at raucous social occasions.

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Quotes

Father Sheridan: We have the Redemptorist Fathers coming to the parish for a mission. What if I was to bring around a doctor of divinity into your house, to explain to you where Gralton is leading you astray?
Mossie: What if I was to bring a doctor of economics round to your house, Father, and explain to you where you're going astray?

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Crazy Credits

In the end credits, at the end of a long list of people and organisations under the heading Thank You, Dixie the horse, Cabundie the donkey and Homer the three-legged dog are mentioned.

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Connections

Featured in La noche de...: Jimmy's Hall (2017)

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Soundtracks

Boogie Woogie
Written by Dave Nelson (as Davidson C Nelson) and Joe Oliver (as Joseph Oliver)
© Peer International Corporation 1930
Arranged and performed by Jimmy Higgins Snr., Frank Kilkelly, Stephen Kohlmann, Eddie Lee, Seamie O'Dowd, Kieran Quinn, Cathal Roche, Ciaran Wilde

User Reviews

Moving, engaged but even-handed

This movie opposes two different and opposed views of the world: that of Jimmy Gralton, who apart from wanting to open a dance hall, is also a left-wing idealist. Although Ken Loach makes not mystery of his sympathies in this movie, as usual he remains even-handed, lets the opposition have their say, and never makes the conservative side appear as ridiculous or stupid. In fact the heart of the movie is the confrontation between Jimmy Gralton and Father Sheridan, which despite the depth of conflict, is fundamentally based on a grudging mutual respect.

What, indeed, could be wrong with opening a dance hall and cultural center? Well in the thirties Ireland was recovering from years of bloody conflict, first the war for independence, followed by more years of civil war. Father Sheridan argues that now is the time for reconciliation, not for political agitation, and what he sees as communist propaganda. It is time for being Irish together, for listening to Irish music rather than "alien Jazz from deepest Africa".

Of course the Loach's sympathy (and ours) goes to the yearning of the young people who have no place to go, no prospects, no jobs, and who desperately want to find some joy, relief and self-expression. The movie may be a bit slow at times, but it is deeply moving.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

UK Ireland France Belgium Japan

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

30 May 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

Jimmy's Hall

Filming Locations:

Killanummery, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,881, 5 July 2015

Gross USA:

$560,592

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,825,184

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sixteen Films, Element Pictures, Why Not Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1