The Banshees of Inisherin Movie Review

The Banshees of Inisherin OVERVIEW | I think it is one of the best films of the year and deserves to be seen on the big screen. A standout ensemble cast, masterful writing, beautiful cinematography and an emotional musical score, sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.
	DIRECTOR Martin McDonagh
	STUDIO Searchlight Pictures
	GENRE Drama
	MPAA R
	RELEASE DATE October 21, 2022

The Banshees of Inisherin, the latest film from visionary Writer/Director, Martin McDonagh, is an absolute masterpiece. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson return to the screen together with McDonagh at the helm to re-create the onscreen chemistry they forged with the 2008 film In Bruges. McDonagh meticulously brings you into a complex dark comedy that is tragic and laugh out loud funny at the same time. This particular tale lends itself towards the level of a modern day Shakespearean tragedy. The characters are compelling, the underlying plot is simple, but breathes an air of complexity in its metaphorical stance towards war and the fragility of men. The story centers around a fractured friendship wherein stubbornness, pride, and the desire for a meaningful life drives a rift through the small remote island town of Inisherin, Ireland. 

The scenery is filled with jaw dropping images of the rolling green hills and cliffs of west coast Ireland. It instills the concept of isolation and the conflict this creates because these two characters have nowhere to go to remain secluded from each other. The only social interaction the people from the town receive are on daily routes to the marina to bring supplies to and from the mainland, and meeting up at the local pub for a brew. There is no escape one can get from the other, and this is the catalyst that ignites the unthinkable lengths they go through. Much of this isolation is created on camera with the masterful cinematography of Ben Davis. The whole film is just stunning to look at, and even though the story is a little slow moving at times, my attention never faltered because the camera movement kept me engaged with the characters at all times. 

Colin Farrell is outstanding and it may be the best performance of his career. He exudes charisma and has the rare delicate ability to alter his entire body language to become the characters he portrays. I will be shocked if he doesn’t receive a nomination from the academy awards this year. Another standout performance is from Barry Keoghan, who in a lot of ways steals the scene whenever he struts into view. Keoghan is a massive talent to look out for in the years to come, and I can’t wait to see what he will do with his bright future. 

I honestly can’t think of anything that I disliked with The Banshees of Inisherin. I think it is one of the best films of the year and deserves to be seen on the big screen. A standout ensemble cast, masterful writing, beautiful cinematography and an emotional musical score, sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.