The Banshees of Inisherin is a work of art. This character drama is full of commentary, beautiful scenery, and a crispness that makes it hard to look away. Director Martin McDonagh (who also writes the screenplay) continues to prove that he knows how to put together a good movie. 'Banshees' offers a simple premise, but it somehow manages to stay captivating until the credits roll. How do we want to be remembered? What is the cause of despair? McDonagh sets out to answer these questions and much more in his brilliant examination of two ex-best friends.
Set in 1923, Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) spend their days talking about nothing at the small-town pub. Inisherin, an island off the coast of Ireland, is a small, tight-knit community, that is mostly avoiding the terrors of the Irish Civil War. Pádraic and Colm have been best friends for years, until one day, Colm decides he doesn't want to be friends anymore. Distraught and confused, Pádraic tries to get to the root of the problem, with a little help from his sister, Siobhán (Kerry Condon), and the "village idiot" Dominic (Barry Keoghan). When Pádraic can't seem to let it go, Colm threatens to cut off a finger each time Pádraic bothers him going forward.
The plot is initially extremely simple but starts to unfold and become increasingly complex. Colm wants to be left alone because he finds Pádraic dull, and he wants to be remembered long after he dies. The fear of being forgotten is what drives Colm to do some pretty drastic things, and his ex-drinking buddy just can't come to terms with it. On the other hand, Pádraic is completely fine with just being a good person, tending to his farm, and enjoying his time on earth. There is nothing wrong with either line of thinking, and it is fascinating to watch it play out on screen.
On top of the intriguing plot, 'Banshees' has everything else going for it. The backdrop of the Irish island is flawless, the music is perfectly scored, and the pacing is perfect. There never seems to be a dull moment throughout the film, possibly brought on by the chemistry of the cast. Farrell and Gleeson do not miss a beat, and they blend in nicely with the rest of the cast.
The Banshees of Inisherin is an extremely impressive feat. McDonagh seems to have found a style that works well, his writing is hilarious and witty, and his direction is captivating. The 114-minute run time flies by; anyone remotely interested in movies should go see 'Banshees,' it will be worth the time.