Many people in today’s world have gone through the experience of being randomly unfriended online without knowing why. This may seem like a modern problem, but what if it was a problem experienced in the early 20th century on a remote island? That question is reflected in the film “The Banshees of Inisherin.” This film is by renowned playwright and Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin McDonagh, who has certainly proven his talents over the years with films like “In Bruges” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” “The Banshees of Inisherin” is about two friends who experience a falling out and the overall importance of friendship. This is not an elaborate or flashy film by any means. It is fairly subtle and quiet, which allows for emphasis on the story. Despite the small feeling of this film, it has left quite an impression on people and has created some Oscar buzz. It expertly combines humor and drama for an interesting journey. As of Dec. 13, this film has been made available on HBO Max. Turn on this film and get ready to be transported to a faraway Irish island.
The year is 1923 and the location is the fictional Irish island Inisherin. Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) have been friends for a long time. However, one day Colm decides that he does not want to be friends with Padraic anymore. Padraic did not do anything bad or cruel, Colm just does not feel like being friends with him anymore. Padraic does not accept this and he decides that he is going to do everything in his power to get Colm to be his friend again. Padraic’s sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) and Dominic (Barry Keoghan), the young boy staying with them, do not think this is a good idea, and that he should just leave Colm alone. Despite the fact that they are now his only friends, other than his beloved donkey Jenny, Padraic does not listen to them. Despite Colm’s annoyance, Padraic will pester him for friendship as long as he can. Unfortunately, this may soon lead to drastic consequences for these two men. What started as a petty bickering leads to a dangerous feud that teaches everyone about the importance of holding on to those they love.
This is not a film with any special effects, elaborate sets, props or big action sequences. It is a film that is centered around people’s behaviors, which is why the performances are a key aspect to this film. Farrell’s main performance absolutely stole the show. He gave an emotional performance that showed how much friendship meant to him. He unraveled as the film went on, while also having excellent comedic timing. It is no wonder that he received an Oscar nomination for his performance. Speaking of well-deserved Oscar nominations, Gleeson also put on a fantastic portrayal of a complicated man. His performance was more understated and less expressive than Farrell’s, but it was just as captivating. His character was confusing and did not feel like anyone I personally know, but Gleeson helped ground him and made us interested in his next move. Condon also did a wonderful job, serving as the straight man of the film. She helped balance everyone out and helped the people near her when they needed it. This may not seem like a tough part on the surface, but she helps keep the film grounded. Every character in this film plays off each other well. It is not just about the performances, but about the combined chemistry, which is what helped all of the actors shine.
When reading the plot of this film, it may not appear to be the funniest story. That is the power of Martin McDonagh’s writing: he is able to take these depressing plot lines and turn them into a delightful dry comedy. A lot of his jokes aren’t very obvious, and he does not rely on slapstick to make the audience laugh. The subtle lines and the reactions to certain events provided humor in a sarcastic way—not to mention that to an American audience, the thick Irish accents and phrases added to the humor. Alongside the jokes, there were some deep emotional points that really hit home, through seeing the bonds in this film along with the exploration of mortality. The point of this film was to show that we should appreciate the people around us. This was a script with a lot of different tones, and that is what made the story excellent. This is a film that relies a lot on the dialogue to frame the story. That is one reason why this film feels a lot like a play. There are so many scenes that involve a few characters just talking. Since McDonagh is mostly known for his playwriting, it is not that surprising that his films go this direction as well. While a play-like aspect can make the film feel slow and plain at certain points, it allows the audience to appreciate the story more. That being said, what separates this film from being a play is the use of the scenery. This movie was actually filmed on an Irish island, and looking at the green field and cool water really adds to the setting. This helps paint a picture of what the characters’ home looks like. It shows the lack of anything modern and the lack of a big city, just nature and tranquility. This could be represented in a play, but to actually see it transports the audience into the characters’ situation. While this is a subtle film, there are a lot of parts that go together to make this story strong.
When Oscar nominations came out, this film received nine nominations, including Best Picture. This made “The Banshees of Inisherin” one of the most nominated films of the year. The Oscars are not always the measurement of great films, but it seems they got it right with this one. While most people cannot relate to living on a remote island in Ireland almost a hundred years ago, there are themes in this film that can connect to anyone. Most people understand the importance of friendship and the importance of morals, which are both expressed in this film. This may not be the most exciting movie for some people, and you shouldn’t go into this film expecting excitement. However, there is still a lot to appreciate about this story. As long as you pay attention and listen to each line, you should be able to understand what this film has to offer. If you are someone who likes an understated story, you enjoy some of Martin McDonagh’s dry humor, or you just want beautiful scenery, watch “The Banshees of Inisherin” today.
