The Banshees of Inisherin

I sat down prepared for an outstanding movie, what I got was nothing close to what I was expecting.

As my title states, the actors could not be faulted in any way, as I found them to be superb, having me hooked with their interactions. Colin Farrell with the most screen time simply shines, having me wish he were more prolific in projects. Brendan Gleeson also does a stellar job, as does Kerry Condon. Even the other minor characters were well written and very well acted by their respective actors. I can't think of a single actor who did a poor job, heck even the animals did a good job. Excellent cinematography as well.

However, while the dialogue was extremely well written, the script itself was somewhat lacking. I kept waiting for the payoff during the movie that simply never came, making me wonder what I just watched.

Go in for the acting and you will not be disappointed, however the overall story might let you down.

It's hard to tell if this is a wonderful dark comedy or a a Shakespearean tragedy. Served by a magistral group of actors and actress, "Banshees" takes you to stunning Irish landscapes and numbs you with its comfortable scenery, cute farm animals and lovely violin tunes in the good old pub... Until men display a classic story of pride and stubbornness.

Like a dark children tale, the movie seems to be a metaphor of the stupidity of war and humanity's contradictions. Collin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and a scene stealing Barry Keoghan are just wonderful at creating those flawed and unique men spiraling into their destiny. While Kerry Condon as the reasonable woman represents perfectly the fatality of this world.

Martin McDonagh created a fantastic piece of filmmaking, a sadly very timely message that I would love to see adapted as a play.

It is a well told dark comedy that keeps you wanting more, in a time when Ireland was full of despair, not long after the war of Independence and a long-suffering period that brought about a post-colonial inferiority complex (still hasn't been addressed to this day), a struggle for an identity, a repressive church, superstitions, isolation, mass emigration, poverty and to top it all off a brutal civil war. This film does a great job to put you in the psych of the time and to top that off the cinematography, costumes, music and atmosphere are wonderful. The film is itself a bit of a conundrum, on one hand it leaves you thinking nonstop about the story and the premise, while on the other hand you feel cheated by its abruptness.

Pádraic ó Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) is just a nice man who struggles to deal with losing his friendship with Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and the further loss he endures. Colm, himself is in a fight against time and his age. The dark struggle of helplessness or despair is rife on the Island, but the story telling is done so well it comes across uplifting at times with light-hearted comedy sprinkled on top. Siobhán ní Súilleabháin (Kerry Condon) is a rock to Pádraic, but she is herself tied to the antics of the Island and Dominic Kearney (Barry Keoghan) must suffer with his own demons while he searches for love.

Both leads Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson knock it out of the park, but the two shining stars for me were Barry Keoghan and the beautiful Kerry Condon. I thought the film was going to take a turn for the D'Unbelievables at one point when Pat Shortt who plays Jonjo Devine and Jon Kenny who plays Gerry pop up on the screen, but after a brief scare they turned out to be a good addition to the banter and gossip in the pub scenes.

It's not perfect and lets you down in a few areas. Some of the dialogue feels out of place especially for the part of Ireland and the time period, which was a shame, as it transports you out of the screen and back into the cinema (this seems to be a modern trend with period film). The setting was also a bit too squeaky clean; brand new clean clothes, polished teeth, shoes galore, fresh faces (apart from Colin Farrell who did look like he spent years working in the elements) the poverty of the time could have been showcased a bit more.

My wife and I both enjoyed this film immensely. Any fan of dark comedy, this film is a must see with a word of warning: I would be aware if you are going to see this movie and you are emotionally fragile, that it does tap into the dark side of your brain and leaves you in deep thought when it is finished.

8/10.

You've played together, endured the weather, for many years; but something's changed, you've been estranged, gears now sheared; the reason seems completely mad, you've not done anything that's bad, the situation's quite bizarre and very weird. So you persevere, keep holding out your hand, but all that does, is cause the flames, to be more fanned, out of spite your friend wont linger, raises more than a mid-finger, it's like you've been black balled, suppressed, banished and banned. More diplomacy results in loss and pain, while there's nothing to be won, you won't refrain, the lines have now been drawn, only one thing this will spawn, it's as avoidable, as it's stupid and insane.

Reflecting the friction and war taking place over the water, and the reasons for it, with four outstanding performances, although Barry Keoghan absolutely knocks it out of the park, a film to get you thinking about what it means to get along, and the repercussions when two tribes don't, even over the most trivial of torments.

Enjoyed this far more than I expected. The plot feels both incredibly simple and deeply symbolic. So much so it leaves you pondering it's meaning long after the credits roll.

What's better - to lead a simple but honest, good life or be remembered for something deeper and more far reaching - and indeed why should there be a choice between the two?

The love for the animals gives the characters a sweet charm and innocence, and they're all still likeable despite strangeness and flaws.

It is strange, at times funny, poignant, sweet, and most certainly watchable. Great acting all round and a breath of fresh air.