341. Banshees of Inisherin; movie review

 

BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

Cert 15

114 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, injury detail, domestic abuse

"So, did you love it or hate it?"

After about 30 minutes of Banshees Of Inisherin, it struck me that this was a Marmite movie despite its considerable critical acclaim.

Mrs W wasn't impressed - she thought it was too contrived and laboured.

I was of the opposite view - I loved its humour, quirky script, great acting and gorgeous Irish scenery.

This cracking film was produced, written and directed by the brilliant Martin McDonagh and is long awaited after the huge success of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

It reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson who teamed up so wonderfully for another McDonagh movie, In Bruges.

Set on a thinly populated Irish island during the 1920s Civil War, it starts abruptly when Farrell's character, Pádraic, makes his daily call on his best friend, Colm (Gleeson), to go to the pub only to find that he is giving him the cold shoulder.

This shakes the world of the amiable Pádraic who cannot fathom why his beloved daily routine should be broken.

And, boy, does the situation in this tiny community deteriorate very quickly.

Farrell is so impressive as the naive but well-meaning farmer and Gleeson is his equal as his curmudgeonly neighbour.

But I should also mention Kerry Condon as Pádraic's wonderfully no-nonsense sister.

The nuances of McDonagh's ultra-quirky script and the precise delivery are where Banshees of Inisherin scores but I shall go into no further detail for fear of spoilers.

Suffice it to say that I shall be cheering it on during awards season but Mrs W. less so.

Reasons to watch: Smart, scenic and brilliantly acted

Reasons to avoid: Not high on action

Laughs: Three

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? The Irish Civil War (28 June 1922 – 24 May 1923) was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United Kingdom but within the British Empire.

The final word. Martin McDonagh: "I think there’s such a joy when we get together that I really don’t want to leave it for 14 years again. It feels like it was two days ago that we made “In Bruges” together. But time passes so quickly. We have talked that maybe seven years would be a better next step." The Playlist

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