The Banshees of Inisherin – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Banshees of Inisherin – Broken Friends at a Pub … Let’s Drink!!!

When I go to the movie theaters, the only thing I hope is for a genuine feeling of escape.  From the bombastic journeys to the rawness of human love, simply seeing a story unfold will bring a smile to my face.  Every experience is different, but no matter what, I hope that feeling becomes an unforgettable moment in time.  In this review, I look at an original Indie/drama film from Martin McDonagh.  A story about the fractures of relationships, with strong characters and an ingenious script, The Banshees of Inisherin is simply … one of the best films of the year.

Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) are two friends living in a small island community off the coast of Ireland. One day, there friendship suddenly hits an impasse.  At a crossroads, the two men must find a middle ground or face the consequences of their actions.  In the beginning, we are introduced (through the drop-in method) to the two men and the small Irish community.  It is a slow burn, giving a glimpse of a solemn lifestyle in the early 19^th century.  Padraic goes about his day-to-day routine, which usually ends with meeting his friend Colm at the local pub for a drink and a chat.  On this day, everything goes sideways when Colm tells him he does not want to be friends anymore.  This revelation startles Padraic, leading to a journey of human fated consequences.  Watching this journey unfold becomes a character study of relations and the hardship of life.  As you see Padraic and Colm deal with the fallout, you see them veer into different paths of trying to understand the reasons behind their breakup.  Through various interaction, the two men try to find a sense brevity within the unwanted friction, but it also brings to light an unfiltered truth about life’s ambiguity.  The conversations are woven through a darkly comedic script, impressing the importance of time, purpose and worth.  Through the wit of engrossing acting, the alluring factor of who is right in this unorthodox fight becomes the endearing heart of the journey.  Through the simplicity of dialogue, you get an emotional weight that is characterized through mannerism and vocality.  McDonagh (writer/director) pushes through with the nature of believability, proving worth without relying on gimmicks, CGI or derivative tropes.  Everything is a raw complexion of one’s desire in seeking a path through uncertainty.  The framing of discourse is ripe within the unpredictability of these characters on the island, providing an honest reflection of choice and consequences.

As the gravity of the situation starts to turn in unwanted directions, you see the broken feelings within Padraic as he tries to comprehend the notion of not being friends with Colm ever again.  On the flipside, you see a renewed vigor in Colm, a caricature of bluntness driven by the irony of humility.  In both characters, there is a contrast to the idealistic notion of life’s purpose.  As they continue to navigate their lives on the island, their actions become heighten by ancillary characters like Padraic sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and an aloof boy, Dominic (Barry Keoghan).  As things become increasingly dire, the third act builds within that sense of human frailty to heighten the simplicity of the script.  When actions are left unrelenting, it leads to an original take on the full circle climax and a reflective like epilogue.  The Banshees of Inisherin is simply, a grand work of art.  If you are a fan of simple tales, great characters and an intensity within originality, this is one for you.  I highly recommend this for film lovers, a masterpiece of filmmaking.

Full Score – 5 out of 5 (Legendary)