PIC OF THE WEEK!
Movie Review – The Banshees of Inisherin
Review by Ray Schillaci
Back in October Searchlight Pictures released one of the best pictures of the year, The Banshees of Inisherin. Who would have guessed that a film about a couple of grown men, life long buddies, that turn afoul after one declares he no longer wants to be friends with the other would become such a critical and audience darling. Of course, that’s just looking at the surface of this very complicated and metaphorical tale that takes place on a little island off the coast of Ireland towards the end of their Civil War in 1923.
The Civil War of the 1920s was between the Provisional Government of Ireland and the Irish Republican Army (IRA). This is merely a backdrop to our story. None of the people on the island ever get into the details, but we can hear the fighting in the distance. Yet, that war is relatable to the two men who are going to have their lives change forever and not necessarily for the better. Writer/director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, In Bruges) weaves this tale of friendship gone sour in such a way that it captures our attention immediately.
McDonagh’s opening shot captures the enchantment of the quaint island and the charm of our happy-go-lucky Pádraic Súilleabháin, played by Colin Farrell. Content to go through life living with his sister and drinking with his long time buddy and folk musician Colm Doherty, Brendan Gleeson. It doesn’t sound like much of a life, but Pádraic takes solace that he is well liked amongst the islanders, even though he is a bit dull in the head. Eventually, this is the cause for Colm suddenly doing an about face on their friendship and feeling the need to concentrate on his music and so he may leave something significant to the world.
Of course, Colm being the brash man that he is does not go into detail as to why he no longer wants to be around Pádraic. This leaves Pádraic confused and hurt, not knowing what he has done to cause Colm to not want to be around him. The more Pádraic tries to reach out to Colm, the angrier he gets, til finally Colm explains his true feelings about Pádraic’s dullness and how he feels it impedes on his creativity. This hurts Pádraic even more and he demands to know wants wrong with just being nice. That’s what he’s known for. Why can’t Colm accept that.
Pádraic enlists the help of his sister, friends, and even the priest which lights up a blaze of anger in Colm who insists that if Pádraic doesn’t stop leaving him alone, he will cut off one of his own fingers and toss it at his door and if that doesn’t stop him from bothering him, he’ll continue to cut off each finger and Pádraic will be responsible. That’s a hefty threat since Colm plays the fiddle. But, Pádraic is warned that the man is serious. Of course, Pádraic just feels his friend is seriously disturbed and depressed and that it’s no reason to end their relationship.
The bullheadedness of each man is both funny, sad and at times shocking. We know in the back of Colm’s head he still cares for Pádraic, but he feels this unbridled passion to finish a piece of music uninterrupted in the hopes of finding peace within himself, while Pádraic continuously takes abuse from his friend, the sheriff in town and struggles with the possible loss of his sister who has applied for jobs outside of the island. His only other love is a pet donkey that he constantly lets into the house against his sister’s wishes. He wonders aloud to the island idiot, is there anything wrong with being just nice?
What transpires between these two men is revelatory and speaks volumes about the human condition. Colin Farrell delivers the best performance of his career. He is uniquely sensitive, charming, but he is not without his faults. Brendan Gleeson is wonderfully gruff, but then there’s that sensitive side he tries to hide along with his fear of mortality. The rest of the cast shines as well, looking as if they’ve been living on the island all their lives.
Writer/director Martin McDonagh has rolled out an amazing ode to mortality, manhood, and the boundaries of friendship all rolled into a fable of sorts. The Banshees of Inisherin is one of the best pictures of the year with brilliant performances and a story that will leave you discussing it long after it is over. A ballad of losses, reflection and possible renewal at some venture down the wee road of life.
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Run Time: 116 Minutes
Rated: R
Country: Ireland/UK/USA
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
