Civil War Between Friends

The Banshees of Inasherin stakes a claim to being Martin McDonagh's best film, and that is saying something.

The Island of Inashirin is a picturesque, sleepy community off the coast of Ireland whose inhabitants are scarcely concerned with the civil war engulfing the mainland. Much bigger news is the fact that local fiddle player Colm (Brendan Gleeson) has decided to stop talking to best friend Padraic (Colin Farell).

What follows begins as a hilarious Father Ted esqe story of a smart (in his own mind anyway) mans exasperation with his dim witted companion and decends into a melancholy story of stubbornness, mental illness and a man left behind, although the laugh out loud humour remains throughout. You will sympathise and be infuriated with both men but mostly you will just be enthralled by their unfolding story.

Pretty much everything in the film is outstanding. The Irish landscape looks stunning, the score is miraculous, the script is meticulous and the cast are perfect. Gleeson is glorious as Colm, a grouchy, self important, "deep thinking" musician who believes his boring best friend is holding him back and Kerry Condon almost steals the show as Padraic's exasperated sister.

Colin Farell is the focal point though and this is possibly his best ever performance and a reminder he is one of the biggest talents in Hollywood. He shifts from dumb misunderstanding to hurt and lost to vengeful as Padraic's nice guy persona is pushed past its limit and he manages to do it all while keeping his natural charm but losing the charisma.

I'm sure there is more to be gained from the metaphor for those with a better understanding of Irish history and culture than me but you don't need to be an expert in such things to appreciate great filming and that's what you have here in spades.

The film is encapsulated in the two interactions Colm has with the local priest. The first a hilarious argument about "impure thoughts", the second a more sombre affair where the priest asks him if he thinks god cares about a dead donkey.

"I fear he doesn't and that's why everything's fucked."

9 death omens out of 10 weird old ladies.

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