Greetings everyone,
A few days ago, I watched the movie The Banshees of Inisherin, and in this blog post, I will review it.
"What would you do if your best friend suddenly decided they no longer wanted you in their life?"
Released in 2022, the movie is exploration of the same question which is directed by Martin McDonagh, a British-Irish playwright and filmmaker. To give you a brief overview of the main plot: it is a story about two lifelong friends, Colm and Padraic, living on an isolated island off the Irish coast in 1932. At the opening of the movie, Colm abruptly ends their friendship after an epiphany that he doesn’t have much time left to live and no longer wishes to spend it talking with Padraic, whom he considers dull and boring. The rest of the movie explores the deterioration of their relationship.
The film has deep philosophical undertones, exploring the age-old dichotomy between the mundane and the spiritual. Colm, an older man, decides he does not want to spend his remaining years entangled in worldly matters (represented by Padraic). Instead, he wants to devote himself to composing Gaelic/Irish folk music. Colm goes to extremes by declaring that every time Padraic tries to speak to him, he will cut off one of his fingers.
The titular banshee, a female spirit in Irish legends who predicts and warns of impending deaths warns Padraic that she senses two deaths on the island. By the end of the movie, it remains a mystery who will die, Colm, Padraic, or someone else entirely.
The movie is aesthetically appealing, with its breathtaking depiction of the Irish countryside. The cinematography is commendable, featuring wide-angle shots and a remarkable depth of field that allows viewers to admire the zigzag roads, lush greenery, and old houses of the Irish countryside. These visual elements vividly convey the slow pace of life on the island.
Moreover, the movie employs ample symbolism. One of the most evident is the portrayal of domestic animals, symbolizing the characters' lack of human warmth and companionship to share their inner conflicts. This is particularly evident in Colm's case, as he lives alone with his dog. The sea is also personified, reflecting Colm's deep melancholy and sense of isolation, similar to the themes in Matthew Arnold's poem Dover Beach. Additionally, the characters’ disillusionment might stem from the perpetual civil war happening in the movie's background.
Google categorizes the movie as a comedy/horror, but there is little comedy in it, except for Dominic's conversations with other characters, which can also be interpreted in the movie's larger philosophical context. As for the horror element, I personally didn’t find it particularly frightening. However, if you enjoy movies set in the old Irish countryside that are philosophical and dialogue-driven, I would highly recommend The Banshees of Inisherin.
Thank you.
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