Rent The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Dour with funny bits - The Banshees of Inisherin review by TB

Set in an isolated community on an island off Ireland with no trees.

Certainly original, but I actually found the first half quite boring, then picking up during the second half. The allegorical aspect is presumably to excuse the abject stupidity involved.

The same pairing as was In Bruges (which I loved), it had it's moments, but I didn't like this nearly as much.

Not quite sure why it got nominated for so many awards, but there you go...

Compelling viewing from Martin McDonagh - his best yet - The Banshees of Inisherin review by PD

Great to see Martin McDonagh return to his playwriting roots after 'Three Billboards', definitely his best yet, and it's certainly one of the saddest films I've ever seen. Set in the early 1920s, as the Irish Civil War rages on the nation’s main island, 'Banshees' is about a friendship gone sour - a clear metaphor. The decision to re-unite the 'In Bruges' duo Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleason is inspired, with Farrell playing a dim but affable Pádraic, who tends to his livestock and spends time every day at the only pub in town, and Gleason as Colm, an older and morose character with a touch of the poet in him. Complementing them perfectly is Kerry Condon as Pádraic’s savvy sister, Siobhan, whose exasperation at her brother’s response to Colm’s extreme behaviour is thoroughly relatable; Siobhan also evokes the most sympathy as a woman who has clearly, desperately outgrown this remote corner of the planet.

Inevitably, things take a very dark turn, and the film unfolds in progressively more grim and sorrowful episodes (if punctuated by some dark humour en route), McDonagh revealing the pain and confusion at the heart of both men with considerable acumen. Colm sets about writing a folk tune he hopes will be sung long after he’s gone, an attempt to leave an impression on a world he feels he’s merely stumbling through inconsequentially, but the lengths to which he goes to do so suggests a far more serious malaise than anyone seems able to talk about. Pádraic, for his part, gradually gathers his daffy stupor and condenses it into anger. Maybe this is how wars begin, although one is left with the feeling that McDonagh wants to portray a more existential crisis of humanity than a simple allegory. McDonagh’s version of isolated Ireland may be a bit condescending, but it's balanced by a sensitivity, that tempers some of McDonagh’s folksy stereotyping. Tenderly scored by Carter Burwell and gorgeously shot by cinematographer Ben Davis, this is a film whose unhurried pace never drags. Compelling viewing.

Sombre - The Banshees of Inisherin review by sb

FILM & WATCHED The trio from In Bruges re-unite but anyone expecting the hoot a minute like that is in for a surprise. This is a much more somber piece dealing with the far reaching fall out of two mens friendship when one decides he doesn’t like the other any more. It’s very well written with superb acting from both leads (and a fantastic supporting performance from Condon as Farrells long suffering sister). Yes it can be wryly amusing at times with a nice sense of the absurd but the thing you take away is a sense of almost unbearable sadness. Beautifully shot off the coast of Ireland with a haunting score by Carter Burrell it is one of the years finest although it’s more a film to admire than enjoy and at times can be quite uncomfortable - 4/5

cliched and cruel - The Banshees of Inisherin review by kk

Thought I was going to love this film but had to turn it off half way through. Can't fault the acting, the scenery but if you're sensitive to cruelty I'd give it a miss. I also found the depiction of many of the characters to be cliched...the thick and the mad Irish is the theme running through.. The central idea was too far fetched for me to go the distance with this film as it was already leaving quite a bad taste. Can't bear cruelty to animals or men acting like animals.

Most Stupid - The Banshees of Inisherin review by Joe

The worse part of the film is that two film stars from the back ground of the main stars agreed to take part in it.

It goes to show that some will do anything for a few pounds.

A clever and refreshing comedy drama - The Banshees of Inisherin review by Tommy

Martin McDonagh keeps producing these terrific films. Character based stories that are different to anything else. Obviously like anything you can box it up by genre and find films that are similar, but still, his films are refreshing. Refreshing and a delight to watch even though they are mostly sad. They're mostly about sad, lonely characters who get out of their depth somehow or make some choices which don't lead to where they intended. Despite this they are never boring or depressing. Three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri had a very deep, intense premise and themes. This is smaller in scale but is arguably his saddest yet. But again, don't be put off. It is a thoughtful film with some heartbreaking moments but this makes it meaningful and clever in it's writing, direction, and acting to make this his best film yet. There is arguments for this being the actors' best performances too, more so for Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell and Kerry Condon.

This is all based on two guys, one doesn't want to be friends with the other. Basically that's it. The other one doesn't understand why. They have a routine and enjoy each others company, until one doesn't. There is unraveling from there. McDonagh is a master of revealing the characters and their secrets. The plot develops, other characters come into play who are entwined, each with their own intentions and back stories. There is always a point in his films, i'm sure plays too, where it seems like the character(s) won't get out of the hole their in, or the situations won't be resolved but McDonagh finds a why out. Always with creativity and wit. The characters and themes always in sync to give the story meaning and entertainment.

And this certainly has that. At one point in particular comes the impasse. How can this develop? They aren't friends anymore, that's it. But this does turn into something dark, funny and inventive. Remarkable in my opinion for the premise. Then after the impasse one of the characters does something crazy which you can't understand why they've done it. Now this is probably well known but when watching and you don't now it is a "what the hell" moment. Before you can empathise or understand but this takes it to another level. To carry on from there, to care about the characters is terrific writing. There is melodrama without being melodramatic and being hard to watch without being able to look away, while we follow Gleeson and Farrell. Particularly when involving the supporting characters and revealing everyone's reasons for being in the story. Everything in this happens for development of the characters, and therefore the plot. Always entertaining and bold with humour and meaning.

A very mixed bag of a film: some good performances but also poor script/narrative choices - The Banshees of Inisherin review by Timmy B

In Bruges was one of my favourite films of the 2000's, coming completely out of nowhere and enthralling me & many others with it's jet black humour, as well as it's musings on life & death. It also, of course, featured the prominent paring of Colin Farrell & Brendan Gleeson, actors who perfectly complimented each other & whose chemistry was flawless. Over the years, there were many times that Martin McDonagh was asked by people to work with both of them again, and partly as a result of that, we now have The Banshees of Inisherin.

Set on the aforementioned titular island during the Irish Civil war, the premise itself is extremely simple: Pádraic Súilleabháin & Colm Doherty live close to each other in the close-knit community of Inisherin, spending their time chatting, usually at the local pub whilst drinking. One day (immediately as the film starts,) Colm simply stops talking to Pádraic & never wants anything to do with him again or be his friend. Pádraic cannot deal with this & is determined to keep talking to & be around Colm. When Colm is not left alone despite repeatedly asking to be, he then threatens to cut off his own fingers.

The scene & atmosphere is set very well & there are the usual McDonagh traits within the story: extremely eccentric & larger than life characters, an at times horrible/callous behaviour shown towards each other and finally the lingering threat of violence. The cinematography is beautiful & really shows how incredible Ireland is as a country, coupled with some great performances.

However, as a story & a film, I could only ever be partially engaged with it. The script is full of the excellent acidic prose that McDonagh is known for, but the actual narrative is actually quite boring at times. Nothing much really happens & at times also really stretches credulity. For example, despite the larger than life theme & overall ridiculousness, not liking someone then hideously maiming yourself to prove a point just didn't work for me. And whilst there were some quite poignant & deep musings on life at times, again it just didn't really fit the film for me. Then we come to the ending, which is a bit of a damp squib. The film just, sort of, finishes & I was left wondering "OK... Was that it?"

Having said that, I did enjoy parts of it & for some people, the gentle pace and jet black humour will be exactly what they enjoy. But it can't hold a candle to In Bruges...