Plot Summary: On a remote Irish island in 1923, two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly decides to end their friendship, with devastating and bizarre consequences that may or may not be connected to the Irish Civil War raging on the mainland.
Director: Martin McDonagh
Screenplay: Martin McDonagh
Cinematography: Ben Davis
Music: Carter Burwell
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh
Starring:
Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súilleabháin
Brendan Gleeson as Colm Doherty
Kerry Condon as Siobhán Súilleabháin
Barry Keoghan as Dominic Kearney
Pat Shortt as Jonjo Devine
Sheila Flitton as Mrs. McCormick
Gary Lydon as Peadar Kearney
***SPOILER ALERT***
So... What the Hell Was That About?
Alright folks, I'm digging this one out of the 2023 archives. I watched The Banshees of Inisherin back then, wrote most of a review, and then just got lazy and never finished it. Seeing Bring Them Down recently reminded me of it, since they've got similar vibes, so I decided to finally get it done. Honestly, while picking clips, I'm starting to think I was pretty "ungenerous" with my original score. It looks a lot funnier now, and the performances are great. But, I'm sticking with my original 64/100 until I actually sit down and rewatch the whole thing properly. Back in 2023, this movie had me scratching my head like a monkey with fleas. I mean, why did Colm really want to end his friendship with Pádraic? He claims it's because Pádraic is boring and his stories are "as dull as watching paint dry," but maybe there was a supernatural thing at play, given the creepy old banshee woman and her spot-on predictions. Colm just says he had a case of "fecking boring" overload, as Kerry Condon's character so eloquently put it. Maybe the reason for all the character actions doesn't matter, and this is just a metaphor for the Irish Civil War like some other people have mentioned.
Below clip shows the inciting incident of the entire film. A bewildered Pádraic finally confronts Colm, who delivers the devastatingly simple and brutal reason for ending their lifelong friendship.
Grass, Fingers, and 'Funny' Jokes
One thing is for sure: the movie's scenery is breathtaking. If you enjoy watching grass sway in the wind for minutes on end, this movie is definitely for you. And hey, if you're a fan of finger amputations, well, you won't be disappointed. But be warned, this movie has a subtle humor that's so understated you might miss it if you're not paying attention. It's like a joke that only your weird uncle would find funny. It's that kind of awkward, cringey humor that makes you squirm more than it makes you laugh out loud, which I guess is the whole point. The entire vibe is just uncomfortable, from the stilted conversations to... well, the finger-chopping.
In this clip, you can see Pádraic, still in denial, trying to force a normal interaction with Colm. It's a painfully awkward and poorly timed April Fool's joke that completely fails to break the tension.
More Questions Than Answers (And Why I'd Hate to Live There)
All in all, The Banshees of Inisherin is an enjoyable movie that leaves you with more questions than answers. If you're looking for a solid conclusion, look elsewhere. But if you want to be left scratching your head and wondering what the hell you just watched, give it a shot. Just make sure to watch it with someone who appreciates awkward silences and slow-to-moderate-paced movies, or you might end up feeling like you're stuck on the island with no way out. And that brings me to a personal thought: could you live in a place like that? So remote, with your next neighbor's house miles away and the nearest city across the seas? To me, this idea is dreadful! I'd go nuts. Maybe that's what the movie is really about.
On the clip below, Colm attempts to explain his reasoning, revealing his deep existential dread and his desire to spend his remaining time on his music rather than on what he sees as Pádraic's "aimless chatting."
Freddy's Final Rating
64
An enjoyable head-scratcher with beautiful scenery and uncomfortable humor
🎬 You Might Also Enjoy:
Bring Them Down (2024)
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After Yang (2021)
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