Jimmy's Hall

"British director Ken Loach is known – and loved – for dramas of quiet outrage, such as Poor Cow, Kes and My Name Is Joe. Jimmy's Hall is rumoured to be his last, which would be a pity for two reasons. Firstly, the industry needs film-makers with a moral compass. Secondly, it's not strong enough to be his swansong."

"Ken Loach has taken a despicable episode of modern Irish history -- the 1933 deportation without trial of one of its own citizens, James Gralton -- and made a surprisingly lovely, heartfelt film from it."

"All told, it's perhaps best seen as a celebration of a man who stands up for his beliefs - almost like a testament to Loach himself."

"Something sparks thanks to Jim Norton's robust but nuanced performance as the cantankerous, obsessive hardliner Father Sheridan."

"An odd, only fitfully engaging hybrid of The Quiet Man and Footloose, which neither packs much of a punch nor is particularly nimble on its feet."

"A fascinating episode in Irish history, full of warm human moments but perhaps missing the vim and vigour of Loach’s best."

"A warm, romantic little period drama, with inspirational messages about working for "need not greed". But its rousing music is the only element that gets the heart beating faster."