As the Irish Civil War rages in the backdrop, there’s another war brewing between two ex-best friends in the quaint coastal village of Inisherin. Pádraic (Colin Farrell), who is perceived to be the ‘nice guy’ of the village, is attempting to process the sudden silent treatment meted towards him by his only friend, Colm (Brendan Gleeson), a self-centred and brooding pub musician. Colm wishes for some peace and quiet and now cold-heartedly views his jovial and simple-minded counterpart as nothing but a “distracting dullard” and a “nuisance.” What begins as a mere avoidance of each other’s paths, however, snowballs into both parties venting their frustrations and dislike for the other via desperate and extreme measures. The film’s second, rather bloody half, furthers this divide, with the duo’s bonds with family members (as Padraic’s caring sister Siobhan) and locals alike also souring.
A word of warning: while its deceptive trailer might have promised a simple dark comedy, “The Banshees of Inisherin” proves to be the opposite of cheery and feel-good. I would even go so far as to categorise it as the ultimate break-up movie. The movie starts with an abundance of gallows humour lacing the interactions between its characters (the confessional scene featuring Colm accusing the parish priest of impure thoughts especially coaxes the loudest chuckles). However, as the movie progresses, it shifts gears into grim and gloomy territory as Colm resorts to drastic acts not for the faint of heart in his inane resolve to sever ties from hurt puppy Pádraic, who desperately clings on to the hopes of a reconciliation.
Strong Characterisation and Explorations
The movie also prompts one to ponder its many philosophical musings and dialogues about the changing, often-heartbreaking nature of long-standing platonic relationships, and the tidal wave of grief when an abrupt rift occurs. The usage of foreshadowing must be lauded, as even brief moments such as Pádraic’s awkward encounter with Mrs. O’Riordan (Bríd Ní Neachtain), a mysterious ‘Baba Yaga’-esque figure known among the locals. Her early prophesies earl on—and the discovery of a strange, makeshift harpoon-like device by the local policeman’s misunderstood and socially ostracized son Dominic (Barry Keoghan)—trigger jarring, unpredictable, and unsavoury events towards the film’s climax.
The characterisation in “The Banshees of Inisherin” is another of its positives, and the movie excels at being a character study of not only its juvenile main protagonists, but the rest of the eccentric villagers. They are caught up in the midst of Pádraic and Colm’s tempestuous feud, and bids at intervention only set off a domino effect in the tight-knit community on the island.
The sincere performances by an ensemble cast featuring Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, and others enhance the movie as well. Farrell chews up the scenery even from veterans like Gleeson, delivering probably his most sympathetic, memorable, and gutting performance to date (second only to his under-appreciated turn as an alcoholic, deadbeat father in “Saving Mr Banks”). He deserves all the accolades (Farrell has received multiple ‘Best Actor’ nominations from various film festivals and award bodies).
A Slow-burn Depiction of Emotional Duress
Farrell especially excels at subtly fleshing out the stark contrast between the two Pádraics: one, a naïve, confused, but good-intentioned man in the first half—as someone akin to a ‘human rainbow’—(a complete opposite to Colm’s despaired outlook on life), and the latter, a disintegrating shell of his former self. Pádraic caves in to the cruel winds of change until he is no longer the ‘nice guy’ of the village, but something else. The visuals are another highlight, with the cinematography by Ben Davis beautifully capturing the breathtaking Irish scenery.
While I still find it unfathomable that anybody would ever think of unfriending Colin Farrell, rest assured, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is worth a watch for the overall stomach-churning, slow-burn, yet sensitive manner in which it addresses the emotional duress of a nice guy gone bad.
“The Banshees of Inisherin” is still available to watch in select theaters. It is also available to stream on HBO Max.
