Review: ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ is masterful
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ is the riveting tale of two men who cannot agree on the status of their friendship and the terrible consequences of their difference.
Friendship can be a tricky connection to navigate, even when it seems like the simplest relationship in one’s life. It’s often said friends are the family you choose, but even families can disintegrate. Like any bond, it feels great until it doesn’t, whether that’s due to a disagreement, a gradual distancing or some other manner of falling out. However, the emotional turmoil can be made worse if the ending of the relationship is strictly one-sided and the other person had no idea it was coming. That is the situation in The Banshees of Inisherin, as a friendship is terminated under mysterious circumstances.
Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) are best friends. For years, they’ve gone to the pub at the same time every day to drink a few pints and enjoy each other’s company. However, one day when Pádraic goes by Colm’s house to collect him on the way to the pub, he’s not there. When he sees him later, he refuses to sit with him and informs Pádraic he no longer wants to spend any time with him. Pádraic is devastated. He nor anyone else can understand Colm’s reasoning for his decision, but he is adamant. As the days go by and Colm can be seen carousing with anyone that’s not Pádraic, the hurt continues to mount until both men are pushed to make painful decisions.
This is a true Irish story, filled with dark humour, senseless violence and tragic loss. Unfolding on a fictional island off the coast of Ireland, the isolation and familiarity of the community is immediately apparent. It’s a very short amount of time before everyone in town knows about Colm’s resolution, questioning Pádraic’s part in the matter, assuming they must have had a fight to cause such a severe punishment. Consequently, Pádraic refuses to accept their separation or believe there’s nothing he can do to reverse it, in spite of Colm’s horrifically dire promise if Pádraic does not leave him alone.
While the end of a friendship is at the heart of the film, writer-director Martin McDonagh doesn’t really make movies about one thing. He finds a way to intertwine social commentary into the narrative. In this case, Pádraic’s sister, Siobhan (Kerry Condon), yearns for more than the small island can offer. She’s smart and witty, but her ambition has nowhere to go. In the meantime, the mainland and all its possibilities seem a world away, even though it’s just a boat ride. That isolation deepens the emotions experienced on the island, resulting in some extreme reactions to otherwise banal or accidental incidents.
Gleeson and Farrell are real-life friends, last working together in 2008’s In Bruges, also directed by McDonagh. They have unmistakable chemistry that shines through their performances, even when their characters are adversaries. Farrell’s Pádraic is so kind-hearted, particularly in his camaraderie with his donkey, audiences commiserate with him over the loss of his friend. Meanwhile, Gleeson’s Colm doesn’t seem callous, though he’s also a bit peculiar in his resolve and certainty that he can’t continue being Pádraic’s friend. Viewers won’t be able to take their eyes off the screen when the pair perform scenes together, which is a testament to their talent and the quality of the script.
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon
