Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson seem to be only getting better with age, with the two coming together and individually creating really unique stories that focus on the life and culture of Ireland. Where in the past they may have hidden their accents in favour of a more 'profitable' one within Hollywood, the two have slowly returned to their roots. I love it! With The Banshees of Inisherin being their latest film, it came up rather suddenly, I had no idea it was in production or to be released. It sort of just appeared in a very sudden, unexpected way. Starting off with a theatrical release to establish some success and profit before moving towards the chaotic world of streaming services; I noticed it was just added to Disney+! Though I am really happy that the film went to the threatres first, reminding us of the importance the cinema can bring with the theatrical releases of such unique films, and not just huge blockbusters.
Though with its sudden release, I refrained from reading reviews or watching any trailers. I ensured I ignored online discussions and didn't end up knowing much about the film. I wanted to go into it not quite knowing what to expect, especially since there's some established idea already coming from something featuring these two actors, alongside the director Martin McDonagh. Of which directed In Bruges alongside the two. The film certainly surprised me, especially towards its later end as it took a more serious approach; certainly still containing the typical types of dark humour we know from In Bruges, but still juggling more serious themes and trying to tell a story, moving itself away from just dark comedy and instead balancing out a narrative of the loss of friendship, small-town living, and the want to leave behind some legacy.
Though for once, for a film with such a large runtime, I didn't actually feel as if the time was not necessary, or that there was wasted potential. At around two hours, I felt it was utilised well, and didn't manage to lose my attention at any moment. Something a bit rare with me these days as films grow in runtime but don't seem to really need that time to tell their stories.
The Banshees of Inisherin
The year's 1923 in a small, very remote place within Ireland. The Civil War is ongoing and tensions are high, though these remote locations are very much connected in community and clearly rely on fishing and farming to survive. Two lifelong friends seem to be having a strange 'row' -- this is a term for a bit of an argument -- in which their friendship seems to be on the line. One not so sure as to why this is happening, and questionning what may have gone wrong. The other, seemingly avoiding his friend and all moody. The film follows their attempts at regaining the friendship as one insists that nothing has happened, and the other struggles with the idea of an existential crisis. Realising that his life is soon to end, and that he has spent his life creating nothing, merely talking and drinking at the local pub. Wanting more, he distances himself from his friend, and attempts to create music under the belief that it will cement him within history.
This idea is easy to connect with. On one hand we see that this remote location results in an easy, not particularly eventful lifestyle, where you know everything and everyone around you. A repetitive life is inevitable, and it can lead to boredom and drastic decisions. We see how one character rejects his lifelong friendship under the assumption that his friend is keeping him down, though his cruelty becomes clearer and more insane as the film's story progresses. As this want for friendship, and rejection of it, results in the two taking more aggressive actions against each other. On the other hand we see how important community and friendship is, as people rely on each other within this small location to keep themselves together under the repetitive nature of farming and fishing. Where everyone goes to the pub to relax and spend time with each other, relying on that sense of community in a familiar location to maintain themselves.
The cinematography of the film reflects the static nature of life in this location. Where many shots are still, fixed in certain areas of the room with very little movement. Where out exterior scenes are similar, rarely moving. Instead watching from a fixed perspective as characters come and go within the frame. It adds to the simplicity of this location, and it does show us that while their actions become incredibly harsh, that life in this place after many decades can result in one reaching their breaking point. That perhaps the life they've lived after many years has been just like this: still, idle. Wanting more. But for some the simplicity of this life is enough, and what gives them purpose is the connections with the others that live the same lives.
Though what is interesting is how the script rarely focuses on this. It instead focuses on the very dry humour and characters. Its moments of humour tend to come from cultural ways of speaking and dialogue that seems confused, somewhat witty but seemingly not intentional. It's a film where the events themselves seen heartbreaking and tragic, but funny in the ways in which us humans deal with such tragedy. The characters engage in a soft manner, rarely raising their voices. Still very much polite to each other despite the increase intensity of their actions against each other. The two don't really want to harm each other, as that friendship is certainly still present, but perhaps not what is wanted anymore by one of them.
Throughout the film I began to question how it might end. I assumed even more tragedy would ensue. That things would grow more serious and dark as a conclusion is reached. I was surprised to see how it ended, but certainly happy as to how. It gave an aura in which assumed the idea that things in life sort of just end. Perhaps community and friendship is merely being there for each other when it's needed, and not just at all times. That space between each other is a positive thing that allows us to grow as individuals. Though the film handles this subject with intense drama, with gore and death. With childlike arguments and dialogue that promotes the humour and almost wholesome side of it all. It's deeply human, and I loved it for that.
Though the film feels very different compared to In Bruges, where humour seems more at the forefront despite its story on loss and regret. It seems director Martin McDonagh wanted to promote something more real with The Banshees of Inisherin, and it's certainly evident around the halfway point as things do get more serious. It's still very much containing the usual things you would expect, though I would say with a bit more maturity to it. I highly recommend checking it out!