The Banshees of Inisherin : A Tale of Friendship

Breaking up is never easy, it is an act that takes different forms whether a divorce or growing apart from an old friend. For his film The Banshees of Inisherin, Martin McDonagh explores the painful part of human relationships by finding the comedy and gore contained within.

McDonagh transports audiences back to 1923 Ireland where civil war was wreaking havoc on the mainland while the island of Inisherin remains slow and mundane. Colm decides he is done with his friend Padraic and no longer wishes to resume the relationship. The two were always seen as a mismatch between Colm’s artistry and Padraic’s simple self, but they just made sense to those around the. The end of this relationship feels like the end for Padraic and he demands answers.

Colm’s decision consumes both men as well as the people of the remote town. Everyone from Padriac’s sister Siobhan to the local outsider Dominic has something to say. Padraic enters a nonstop mission to understand why he has been suddenly abandoned by his longest friend. This causes Colm to grow frustrated and threatens to cut off his fingers to show that he is serious.

This is a simple break-up story that never goes into a midlife crisis route or needs a plot twist to keep it alive. McDonagh continues to dig into this specific issue and add layers and texture. By the time the film closes audiences have seen the issue from all sides and formed a deep understanding of the relationship. In typical McDonagh behavior, he adds dark humor into this almost musical script about grief and depression. He never judges his character or picks a side as both men receive consequences for their actions. It is not a surprise that this screenplay hits all the right notes, and saves it from being just another period drama.

Farrell, Gleeson, Condon, and Keoghan bring this script to life. These characters don’t feel one-dimensional. There is more to Gleeson’s Colm than being frustrated, he adds layers of kindness in the way he acts through his eyes. Even in their darkest moments, all these characters possess some type of humanity. Farrell is in his prime as he starts as a simple man and forces the audience to get to understand who he is outside of that and what the other characters see in him. Condon is the heart of this film as she is in the middle of this rift. Keoghan is such a bright presence on screen that lights up the audience with every word he speaks.

Inisherin is a character of its own with the local pub, simple houses, and beautiful landscapes. Cinematographer Ben Davis brings life to this mundane island with some of the most creative and stunning cinematography of the year that adds to its storytelling. A lot of the shots are set up through windows, doorways, and walls that make the audience feel like they are watching this rift up close and personal among the people of Inisherin.

McDonagh leaves the film on the note “does niceness or legacy matter in the end”. Each man represents a different idea and the film brings this into a discussion without ever answering it but explores it in such a beautiful, deep way. The Banshees of Inisherin is a film that will stay with audiences.