The Banshees of Inisherin

The Banshees of Inisherin

Film4 Productions, Blueprint Pictures, TSG Entertainment

Searchlight Pictures

Description

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

Release date

October 21 2022

My Rating 

8/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating

77%

#whatonwhatsgood Express Review (by: Jovin Tardif)

Every day at 2pm Colm and Pádraic go for a drink in the only pub on the island. It’s a daily routine. One day Colm (Brendan Gleeson) ignores Pádraic (Colin Farrell) when he calls.  Why doesn't he want to hang out with Pádraic anymore?  

Colm wants to work on his art and creativity and puts an ultimatum on Pádraic.  To convince Pádraic to stop speaking to him, Colm threatens to cut off his fingers, one at a time, which will stop him from creating music. 

Will Pádraic be able to handle being rejected by his friend? Will he decide to test the waters to see if he’s able to fix their friendship?

Very interesting storyline.  Great acting by Gleeson and Farrell.  The film really makes you want to travel to Ireland.

Directed by

Martin McDonagh

Written by

Martin McDonagh

Produced by

Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin and Martin McDonagh

Starring

Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súilleabháin

Brendan Gleeson as Colm Doherty

Kerry Condon as Siobhán Súilleabháin

Barry Keoghan as Dominic Kearney

Pat Shortt as Jonjo Devine

Jon Kenny as Gerry

Gary Lydon as Peadar Kearney

Sheila Flitton as Mrs. McCormick

David Pearse as the Priest

Cinematography

Ben Davis

Edited by

Mikkel E. G. Nielsen

Music by

Carter Burwell

Colin Farrell discusses The Banshees of Inisherin

“The Banshees of Inisherin is the story of an island, the small group of people on that island, and two friends who early on in the film are forced by the decision of one friend to go their separate ways.” 

“The other friend finds that particularly hard to deal with.”

Brendan Gleeson discusses The Banshees of Inisherin

“Colm starts acting very strangely and starts avoiding Pádraic. Colm doesn’t answer the door, which is how we start off the journey. That’s how it begins - with the shutting of a door against a good friend… for no apparent reason.”

“Colm decides to embrace art and creativity as the most important thing in life and it leads to hellish consequences.”

“Do you devote yourself totally to life as an artist and disregard friends or lovers or family? Is work the most important thing? Does it matter who gets hurt in the process? It's a debate that isn't answered by me or the film. I don't think that you have to be a self-flagellating or dark or hateful person to do any kind of art, even dark art. But I definitely think the film explores that interesting conundrum.” 

Director Martin McDonagh discusses The Banshees of Inisherin

“Pádraic can't understand why Colm doesn't want to be friends with him anymore and won't accept it. It’s similar to the feelings you feel when you've been dumped in a relationship. You think, ‘So did you ever like me, or was I imagining that we were in love?’

“It's interesting to see who the audience identifies with. Can they understand the tough line that Colm, the breaker-upper, has taken, or do they identify with the nice person who is brokenhearted?”

(From L-R): Jon Kenny, Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, and Pat Shortt in the film THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in the film THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in the film THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in the film THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.