The Banshees of Inisherin – Movie Review
Director: Martin McDonagh
Writer: Martin McDonagh (Screenplay)
Cast
- Colin Farrell (The Batman)
- Brendan Gleeson (28 Days Later)
- Kerry Condon (Three Billboards)
- Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk)
- Pat Shortt (Pixie)
Plot: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.
Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: The Banshees of Inisherin starts when Padriac (Farrell) goes about his usual daily routine which includes seeing his best friend Colm (Gleeson). For some unknown reason, Colm decides he doesn’t like Padriac anymore, sending Padraic into a spiral of confusion.
As Padriac tries to rebuild the friendship, he is given an ultimatum. One that would have devastating consequences as the unusual rivalry spirals out of control.
Verdict on The Banshees of Inisherin
Characters
Padriac is a local farmer on a small island. He lives with his sister and spends most of his free time down the pub with his lifelong friend. One day his best friend is acting differently and ends up deciding he doesn’t like him anymore. Poor Padriac is sent down a spiral of uncertainty about what he did wrong, as he tries to find himself on this lonely island. Meanwhile, when he is home, he has a habit of letting the animals in the house, including his prize miniature donkey.
Colm was once Padriac’s best friend, he lives alone, playing his fiddle to keep him entertained. He has decided he no longer wants to be Padriac’s friend and wants to focus on trying to be remembered. Colm goes to extreme lengths to prove how serious he is about the calm.
Siobhan is Padraic’s sister, she is too smart to be on the island too, a fact that has often seen her looked down on by the gossiping locals. She has wanted to support Padraic the best she can, but it is getting too much for her now.
In the supporting characters, we get the locals that are finding it strange with the difference between the two. Some offer Padraic support, while others are waiting for things to get out of control.
Performances
When it comes to pure acting, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson give a masterclass here. Each scene, every interaction with any other actor or animal, has you glued to what might happen next between them. Kerry Condon is also fantastic in an equally important role in the movie. While Barry Keoghan brings his typical unusual figure to the film, one that you are unsure of what he will do.
Story
The story follows two lifelong friends that get caught up in a strange impasse when one decides he doesn’t like the other anymore. This sends one down a strange road of wondering what he ever did wrong, as the loneliness starts to sink in. Placed upon this is a strange decision that could have lasting effects.
This is a brilliant story, a sudden end in a friendship would drive anyone crazy. Not a fight, just a decision to no longer be friends. It brings up the bigger question of whether people will be remembered in life for being nice, or do they want to leave a lasting memory. While also tackling isolation and loneliness within a community away from the mainland.
The comedy in the film is very dark and works perfectly for the movie. Having the backdrop of the civil war across the water shows the peace they are living in despite a conflict. Elsewhere, the animals and location are brilliant and take us completely into this world.
Final Thoughts –The Banshees of Inisherin is one of the films of the year.
