Ken Loach returns to Ireland, LOOKING FOR ERIC and THE ANGELS (and the very forgettable ROAD IRISH), the conflicts that have animated this country to the historical epic.
To relax the atmosphere. Yes, the new Ken Loach looks like his other films, including THE WIND RISES, by its subject, its classicism, the wonderful photography of the landscapes of ireland.
The subject is not the same, the budget is not the same, but the spirit Ken Loach is there. For the best and for the (little) worse.
As usual with Ken Loach, specifically in its very good screenwriter Paul Laverty, a high fluidity animates the progress of the film.
First, we are presented the characters, then the place of the same name, then the stakes.
The life of Jimmy is presented quickly in the form of flashbacks, that show a form of destiny in the pattern. Jimmy Gralton, played with charisma by Barry Ward, is a leader. A role is thankless in the Ireland in conflict, but also rewarding, because it gives the people hope that wars, civil and against the british state, have diminished. A hope that is manifested in the reconciliation of the other, a humanistic vision, more than communist.
The inhabitants of the county of Leitrim, and many form a microcosm that manages without difficulty, thanks to the very good dialogues Laverty to give an account of the state of mind of a country poie to inner conflicts, to a human level, as a policy.
Without exaggerating the characters but giving them plenty of depth, except maybe the owner is violent, Ken Loach and Laverty give a comprehensive overview of the situation, while directing the film to leave no doubt as to its nature committed.
Paul Laverty is also to give a real presence in Jimmy’s Hall, this space very special mix of generations, cultures, lively time, dancing, singing, reading, or just discussion. A place that, as if it were of flesh, sweat and the joy to live and learn, suffers when it is assaulted, and managed to get these emotions to the spectator.
A fairly detailed presentation of each party also participates in the emotional connection of the viewer to the cause of Jimmy.
Each has a “speaking time” that allows you to evaluate in their entirety the problems, outside of a few characterizations such as that of economic interests.
It is so exciting, educational, light or hard when it is needed. A film that brings together the qualities that one asks him. Except that…
“A very good film, but to the realization too classic and smooth, to mark the spirits.”
The real problem of the film, ultimately, it is this perfection .
Because who says perfection said lack of asperities. The movie is so definitive that there is nothing to say, if not in detail the aspects to be successful. Which makes him, somewhere, a film that is inconsistent.
JIMMY’S HALL does at the end, very little emotions memorable. As soon as finished and debriefed :
” – It was well?
– Yeah it was good.
– OK.”
There is nothing left to say. It is often the case in Ken Loach ; his last Palme d’or I had the same effect. It is the consequence of the classicism of its staging, and the angle very fluid with which he discusses his films, so as to leave very little shadow areas, either for the characters or respect their point of view engaged. In result, a very good political film, but that does not really to provoke debate.
Sad, isn’t it? It’s JIMMY’S HALL from Ken Loach.
• Achievement : Ken Loach
• Screenplay : Paul Laverty, Donal O’kelly
• Main actors : Barry Ward, Simone Kirby, Jim Norton
• Country of origin : U. K., France
• Output : 02 July 2014
• Duration : 1h49mn
• Distributor : The Covenant
• Synopsis : Jimmy Gralton is back home after a forced exile in the States. He decides to re-open a community space, a Dance hall where everyone can give and take, of course many and varied.