Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to break up with someone and never speak to them again. We even have a word for it: ghosting. But what do you do if your friend no longer wants to talk to you despite you being neighbors in a small coastal town in Ireland in 1923? Not so easy. That’s the conceit of Martin McDonagh’s new film, which sees him reuniting Colin Ferrell and Brendan Gleeson for the first time since In Bruges. I can’t say that Banshees of Inisherin lives up to the brilliance of that movie (an impossible ask), but the mixture of McDonagh’s writing and directing makes this remarkably memorable nonetheless. The two lead actors, in particular, create deeply resonant and flawed characters that will have you both laughing and grimacing throughout the movie — sometimes in the same scene.
The tough tonal balancing act can break a movie with the wrong actors, but everyone here is perfectly cast. Colm Doherty (Gleeson) slouches his way across town as a discontent man who wants to be left alone to write music. Specifically, he wants a break from Pádraic, who he frequently describes as “dull.” Pádraic defends himself, saying that “he’s just being nice.” Every day the two would sit together at the local pub for a pint until one day, Colm tells Pádraic to sit somewhere else. “But me drink is right here,” Pádraic responds bewilderingly. “Fine, then I’ll move,” Colm says before he takes his beer and sits outside.
Those expecting a curmudgeonly hero like Gleeson’s private investigator Bill Hodges in Mr. Mercedes, will be surprised to hear that he’s even more grumpy and brooding in Banshees. It’s not that he’s heartless, but he shows his acts of kindness with his actions more than his words. He’s also quite hilarious when he gets worked up into an outburst, calling to mind the famous “cunt” scene in In Bruges.
The first part of the movie sees Pádraic trying to discover what he did to make Colm so upset and make amends. “I just don’t like you no more,” he confesses. But you liked me yesterday, Pádraic pleads. “Did I?” The movie is filled with similar lines that are simultaneously somber and funny in McDonagh’s signature style of pitch-black comedy. This interaction marks the start of a dramatic breakup between two friends that we can assume have been friends for a long time. But are they friends because they truly like each other or because they just happen to live in the same place?
Ferrell’s eyebrows add a physical sadness and confusion to his performance as they sharply point to the ground covering his eyes while he pleads to save his friendship. But Colm has other plans for the rest of his life, plans that don’t involve Pádraic. Eventually, Colm has to threaten self-harm to get his wish, and Pádraic isn’t sure if this is all a goof or if he truly can no longer talk to someone he used to consider a lifelong friend. It’s easy to see why he values their friendship so much when his life outside of Colm is revealed. Pádraic depressingly lives with his sister and his small donkeys and befriends the police chief’s young son, but it’s clear that none of these people satisfy him like his relationship with Colm.
While this is a movie shot during COVID with a small cast, McDonough beautifully still captures the lush landscapes of the Emerald Isle to create his portrait of human conflict in the fictional island of Inisherin. This makes the backdrop just as impressive to look at as the dialogue is to listen to. And even in the small, naturally lit homes, the supporting performances from Barry Keoghan (The Green Knight) and Kerry Condon (Better Call Saul) are some of the year’s best (their scene by the lake is truly heartbreaking). But it’s Ferrell’s performance that is the most impressive, with his ability to incite sympathy, laughter, and annoyance with his naively stupid character.
As someone who has been on both sides of the breakup scenario (obviously, not as extreme) in romantic and platonic relationships, it’s not easy to be rejected or to walk away from something you once valued. You don’t owe anyone precious moments of your life as it is fleeting, but you also don’t have to be cruel in your leave. Conversely, someone may undervalue you and leave you at a moment’s notice for reasons that are unclear to you. You can try to fight it, but change is key to our survival and our happiness. The unwillingness of Banshees of Inisherin to take sides is true to the complexities of these relationships and will make you question who you choose to let into your own life lest you carry regret. One thing I can assure you: you won’t regret checking out one of the best features of the year.
Final Rating:
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ is available now on HBO Max, Blu-ray & Digital HD.
Rated R.
(Photos: Searchlight Pictures)
