Review | Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” is an Irish Masterpiece
Spoilers beware.
Plot Synopsis
On the island of Inisherin off the coast of 1920s Ireland, two friends in Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colin (Brendan Gleeson) find themselves at a crossroads in their friendship. Alongside his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and a troubled young man in Dominic (Barry Keoghan), Pádraic must hold on to his relationships as much as he can before he’s forced to move on.
The Good
“The Banshees of Inisherin” is one of the best film’s I’ve seen all year. A somber and depressing dark comedy that ponders life and purpose, the film is a tribute to Irish culture from the way it’s shot to every line of dialogue. I wanted to see what all the talk regarding awards season was about for this film, and I’m happy that I was able to watch the whole thing before the year ended.
Right from the opening few shots, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a gorgeous looking movie. The production was shot in Ireland on Inis Mor and Achill Island, and the presentation of real landscapes is a true sight to behold. From Donjo’s Pub to the horizon across the land, the setting of the fictional town of Inisherin has a natural folklore-ish quality to it that director Martin McDonagh uses to enhance the story.
