"The Banshees of Inisherin" Breaks Up

Colin Farrell used to annoy me. I couldn't ever explain why, and I got over it eventually, but there's still something about his screen presence that rubs me slightly the wrong way. And that makes him perfect for Martin McDonagh's "The Banshees of Inisherin." McDonagh has returned to familiar territory, not only reteaming with actors Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, but for a story set in remote Ireland about violent, unhappy men.


On the island of Inisherin, during the Irish Civil War of the 1920s, life is difficult and bleak. One day, Pádraic (Farrell) is told by his best friend Colm (Gleeson) that the friendship is over, and Colm doesn't want to be bothered by him anymore. Pádraic doesn't take this breakup well, and keeps trying to fix the situation. His sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon), local oddball Dominic (Barry Keoghan), and other members of the tiny community get involved as the hostilities escalate to violence, destruction, and worse.


"Banshees" is a long, slow film, and I initially had some trouble with the thick accents. However, it proves to be a funny, dark, and exceptionally brutal examination of this group of characters, who are all wildly stubborn and prone to extremes. Farrell and Gleeson have never been better as Colm and Pádraic, who have grown apart over the years, though only one of them realizes it. You'll likely sympathize with both men to some extent. I've usually been in Colm's position, the artsy introvert in the middle of an existential crisis, who simply wants to be left alone to play and compose music. However, I've never threatened to cut off my fingers to force anyone to keep their distance.


Then there's Pádraic, whose whole world has been turned upside down by the rejection, and his fundamental way of looking at the things challenged. It's not simply a matter of Pádraic not being able to take no for an answer, or being unable to empathize with Colm's wishes, but he doesn't like what the split says about himself as a person. Pádraic has gotten along fine in life being a nice man, rather than a smart man or an interesting man, and suddenly this doesn't seem to be enough. A major change to his life has happened, completely out of his control, and he can't accept it. Farrell gets some wonderful existential rants to vent his frustrations as Pádraic's attempts to improve the situation just make it worse. In typical McDonagh fashion, things get so much worse. And it turns out that Pádraic isn't so nice.


Those who are not familiar with McDonagh's work should be warned that the movie gets gory in a way that not too many non-horror films are. And those who are familiar with McDonagh's work should take heed that the aforementioned gore isn't remotely as bad as some of the other Grand Guignol gruesomeness he's unleashed onstage over the years. Most of his preoccupations are with giving us some good, long looks at the beautiful island, and introducing us to the various people who live there. Everyone from the foul mouthed priest (David Pearse) to the gossip-obsessed shopkeeper (Sheila Flitton) to Dominic's troubled policeman father (Gary Lydon) are memorably written and performed.


And the immersiveness of Inisherin is what I appreciate the most about the film, ultimately. The story wouldn't have nearly the impact that it does if McDonagh hadn't taken the time to properly show us how this little world works. Events only play out the way that they do because Inisherin is tiny and Colm and Pádraic can't get away from each other. They're surrounded by deeply religious, deeply fatalistic people who prefer to turn a blind eye or suppress all their feelings to an absurd degree. And everyone is so down to earth that Pádraic's second closest friend is his miniature donkey, Jenny, who he habitually brings indoors for a cuddle, to Siobhán's consternation.



"Banshees of Inisherin" exceeded my expectations considerably. I don't feel I've said enough about Kerry Condon as Siobhán or Barry Keoghan as Dominic, but both involve a high degree of spoilers, so I'll just say they're integral to the film, and the actors are wonderful. This is my favorite McDonagh film that he's made to date, and honestly might be my favorite thing that he's done, ever.


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