The Banshees of Inisherin is a lot of things all at once. It is a comedy that is often laugh out loud hilarious while also being a somewhat somber mediation on conflict, both personal and cultural. It is told like a fable, full of symbolic absurdities while also being grounded in a very real time and place. It is both painfully touching and downright silly. And within all of this it is a beautiful piece of film making in all the ways.
This film is shot on beautiful Irish Islands featuring some of the most scenic areas they could find, and is centred around the story of two men, who we are to understand were great friends, who find themselves at odds when once decides he no longer likes the other. While this is all happening the small town 1920s life of the villagers here is peripherally disturbed by the civil war happening on the nearby mainland which can be heard, but only barely seen, and is discussed in the new papers as something hardly reaching them at all except through small echoes. The film parallels these stories in fascinating ways pulling us in with its story of these two compelling odd ball characters.
There is a great deal about Banshees that is absurd but it all works so organically. The relationship between Farrell and Gleeson is just amazing to watch, each developing such lived-in men that feel they could be people we know. Keoghan stands out as the town fool who is so much more than all that. Watching this cast play against each other is joyously delicious. And magically the film finds a wonderful melancholy throughout which is tangible, even reaching the state of real tragedy. Banshees comments on war and relationships and grief in such a beautifully complicated manner.
The Banshees of Inisherin is a crowd pleaser that offers so much richness. It is the sort of film which just brings so much to the table and makes for a lovely cinematic experience.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Kerry Condon
Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh
No comments:
Post a Comment