The Banshees of Inisherin

Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

If you’ve seen Martin McDonagh’s Irish stories before then you’ll be well versed in understanding this film. On stage he lures you into a false sense of warm Irish security before butchering the entire cast. And in film… well he kinda does the same, with the exception being the very American Three Billboards.

With Banshees he really scales it back. Put simple it’s a quaint tale about friendship. If, in childhood, you ever wondered why your best friend was no longer your best friend then you’ll fully appreciate this tale.

Colm tells Pádraic that he doesn’t like him anymore, ultimately ending their lifelong friendship and a baffled and heartbroken Pádraic has no idea why. Endeavouring to repair the rift only makes matters worse. Much much much worse.

With a career spanning 20 years, “movie star” Farrell really hit critical acclaim gold when he paired with McDonagh. Before 2008’s In Bruges nary an award show acknowledged his existence. As a long standing fan I’ve never understood it; he’s brilliant in Minority Report, Tigerland and A Home at the End of the World (not to mention his guest spot in Scrubs). But thanks to McDonagh he’s been snatching trophies. And he’s finally garnered an Oscar nom and I’m delighted. The rest of cast triumph at this years awards season too.

Barry Keoghan plays a loveable simpleton. Kerry Condon a ruddy matron and Brendan Gleeson as the sensitive and stubborn best friend.

A film that divides opinion; I enjoyed it, my mate demands he be reimbursed for having 2 hours wasted… go into this as a character study about youthful, innocent friendship versus stubborn beliefs and pride.

7 (you’ll be lucky) Thumbs Up! 👍🏻