Movie Review: The Banshees of Inisherin

 Movie Number 7 of 2023

The Movie: The Banshees of Inisherin

The Cinema: The Sun, Yarraville

Stars: 5

I have a very difficult relationship with the McDonagh Brothers. Martin McDonagh, who also directed one of my favourite movies, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, had me so deeply affected that I still talk about that film some five years later. His brother, John Michael McDonagh wrote and directed Calvary, another film that I still think about, even though I saw it in 2014.

Well, Martin McDonagh has done it again, writing and directing and incredible film, which has left me emotionally bereft and in a bit of a puddle. After the film, I went back to Blarney and Barney's to have a beer and talk about it some more. 

In the Irish vernacular, JAYZZZUSSS, what a film. 

In many ways, this is a small film. Set on an island off the Irish Coast in the early 1920s, Inisherin is a place where little happens. You get that feeling. Everybody knows everybody's business. Island time is kept by the post office bell which sends out the call for the men to go to the pub. 

RottenTomatoes.com provides the following plot. 

"Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic and Colm, who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán and troubled young islander Dominic, endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic's repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences."

I can't say any more about the plot. To say more would ruin it for anybody seeing it. 

This is a gutwrenching film. But it's also darkly funny. And wise. And bleak, yet hopeful. And it shows what can be the relentlessness of island life. It's also beautifully shot, showing the fictional island of Inisherin at its rugged best. The movie was filmed on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, off the Irish West Coast. The cinematography is amazing. 

To give you and inkling about how good this is, it's up for eight Oscars this year. Best Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Colin Farrell), Best Supporting Actor x 2 (Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan), Best Supporting Actress (Kerry Condon), Best Original Score and Best Editing. 

Good enough for you?

As I said, I won't put in spoilers. It's too good to give too many spoilers. But some of the things that just made this for me include the following things. 

• Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are back at it again. After being in In Bruges, together, they're back. It just works. Both Farrell and Gleeson are a huge part of the McDonagh brothers' stable. 
• Barry Keoghan's role of Dominic is utterly heartbreaking, He's earned the Oscar nod. 
• Kerry Condon is similarly wonderful as Siobhan, Padraig's long-suffering sister. I found myself fist pumping when we found out her plight. 
• And a huge nod to the donkey. Again, I won't spoil this for anybody, but the donkey (and Colm's dog) are scene stealers. 

My only recommendation with this - if you're squeamish, don't go or be prepared. It not hugely violent, but what happens is affecting, and to be quite honest, a bit gross - and not in a funny way. 

This is going down as one of my favorite movies of the year. 

If you want to see something that isn't mainstream and utterly excellent, this is your film. 

It's on at the more art house cinemas around town. 

Do yourself a favor.

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