‘Jimmy’s Hall’ is a Touching True Story About Irish Idealist

Sandra Miska

“Jimmy’s Hall” a British-Irish drama about real-life figure Jimmy Gralton (Barry Ward), the first man to be deported from Ireland. After ten years in the States, Jimmy returns home to rural Ireland in following the death of his brother in order to help his mother Alice (Aileen Henry) run the family farm.

Jimmy is not in town long before the town’s young people accost him and plead with him to reopen the Pearse-Connolly Hall. He is initially reluctant, but eventually gives in and gets to work renovating the community center that was once a place where the town’s young people and free thinkers could gather and take art and literature classes, dance, and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

A flashback to 10 years earlier explains Jimmy’s hesitance. In 1921, Jimmy’s hall caused a rift between himself and the local Catholic parish, who believe education is strictly the duty of the Church. This, coupled with Jimmy’s issues with the government’s mistreatment of poor workers, causes him to flee the country. Sadly, his true love Oonagh (Simon Kirby) is unable to join him; being the only daughter in her family she must stay and take care of her parents.

The hall reopens, with Oonagh and several others of Jimmy’s old friends teaching classes. None too pleased is Father Sheridan (Jim Norton), a man who gives John Lithgow in “Footloose” a run for his money. Sheridan not only speaks out against the hall, he goes a step further and waits outside of the hall before a dance and writes down the names of all those who are to enter. The next morning, he reads the names during mass, causing at least one teen, Marie (Aisling Franciosi), to receive a whipping.

Just like in other Irish films such as “The Magdalene Sisters” and “Philomena,” Catholics are portrayed as villainous and unrelenting in breaking those who question authority. However, the parish in “Jimmy’ Hall” is not all evil, as at least one insider, young priest Father Seamus (Andrew Scott), strives for change, believing oppression breeds belligerence. Even Father Sheridan eventually shows signs of coming around, but not before it’s too late for Jimmy, whose socialist ideas have once again made him a government target. Things come to a head after he and his friends go to bat for a family who is unlawfully kicked out of their home.

“Jimmy’s Hall” is also filled with plenty of lighthearted moments, including scenes of dancing to live Irish musicians, as well as American jazz music from Jimmy’s gramophone.

There are plenty of emotional scenes, mostly between Jimmy and Oonagh, who still maintain feelings for each other despite her having married another man in his absence. Aileen Henry also gives a touching performance as a mother who is faced with losing the only son she has left.

Overall, the film is dialogue heavy and probably won’t keep the interest of children, but it’s a great film for adults who love history and stories that leave you inspired.

“Jimmy’s Hall” opens July 3 in select theaters.