A Tale of Two Friends — The Banshees of Inisherin Review
Martin McDonagh reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson after his 2008 feature debut, In Bruges, to tell a tale about friendship, love, loneliness, and being nice.
Stills Collage /// Searchlight Pictures ©
An Irish Visual Novel
Set in 1923 in the background of the Irish civil war, the film tells the story of two friends who have a baffling problem when one suddenly ends the relationship. After the routine of drinking dark pints daily at 2pm at the only pub in the fictional Inisheer island with Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell), Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) all of a sudden decides to stop hanging out with his long-time friend. This decision isn’t welcomed by Pádraic Súilleabháin (the old, Irish-version name for Patrick Sullivan), who consults his sister and roommate Siobhán (Kerry Condon) about the matter. She repeats what Colm told Pádraic: “Maybe he just don’t like ya no more.” As simple as that.
Since he doesn’t recall arguing with his best (and only) friend, Pádraic insists on discovering the reason behind this decision. Colm confesses that the time spent with Pádraic is wasted and that Pádraic himself is dull. Therefore, Colm wants to give his life meaning (namely by composing a piece of music with his fiddle), while for Pádraic it would be enough in life to just being nice.
Stills Collage /// Searchlight Pictures ©
It’s not funny anymore…
The absurd dark comedy hits when Colm threatens to cut one of his fiddle-playing fingers each time Pádraic talks to him, leaving room for alarming consequences. Even though warned by his wise sister Siobhán, the stubborn Pádraic doesn’t take Colm seriously.
This dramedy is so brilliant and engaging that spoiling it would be a crime. Still, later on, it will involve a love story between Dominic (Barry Keoghan, The Killing of a Sacred Dear, 2017, alongside Colin Farrell), a young boy abused by his police officer father, and Siobhán. And another even more powerful love story between humans and animals. When abandoned by his most loved ones, Pádraic will manifest the changes a nice man naturally goes through after his hopes and dreams are buried.
Stills Collage /// Searchlight Pictures ©
Who is this guy?
Initially intended as a stage play (the third part of the Aros Islands trilogy), The Banshees- theatre idea was abandoned by writer and director Martin McDonagh* but eventually revitalized for the big screen into not just a film but rather an existentialist drama highlighted by notes of humor.
The breathtaking cliffs and hills of the island, mixed with a 100-year-old costume design and drinking pubs, unmistakably bring us into the isolated and remote atmosphere with gunshots heard in the background. Primarily filmed in Inishmore, Aran Islands, County Galway, western Ireland, The Banshees features an “every frame a photo” cinematography by the BAFTA nominated Ben Davis, under the original music score of two times Oscar nominee Carter Burwell, both previously worked with McDonagh in “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri”. With the fantastic screenplay, directing, and acting, after pocketing eight Golden Globe nominations, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is also highly favoured to be nominated and triumphant at the Academy Awards. McDonagh’s sensational independent works will be present every half-decade since he rejects industrial studio offers and hates making superhero movies.**
Still frame /// Searchlight Pictures ©
The Best Movie of 2022?
It’s up to the audience to what extent they want to love this film. Still, there has been some time since the last time we saw friendship and loneliness depicted humorously and dramatically. Having a pint with Pádraic and Colm at your local movie theatre will only help you appreciate the little things in life. Actually, to love them more.
Ultimately, it is not who we are that matters but what we do. Actually, is who we are that matters, rather than what we do out of certain emotions. Or… whatever; I’m still thinking about this movie.