By

Jimmy’s Hall

Intelligently told warm, humorous story

In what he claims is his last feature film, activist director Ken Loach takes up the true tale of James Gralton (Barry Ward), a 1930s Irish community leader who built a corrugated tin hall on his land, wherein the townspeople could gather for debate, dances, music and literature lessons, and just have fun.

Decidedly not amused, and certainly threatened, was the local priest (a brilliant Jim Norton) who viewed all education as falling exclusively under the purview of the Mother Church. He eventually had Jimmy deported. They could do that. This is a warm, humorous story, intelligently told. Japanese title: Jimmy, No wo Kakeru Densetsu. (109 min)