THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2022)
Former BFF’s Colm and Padraig
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s always an honor to be invited to participate in the movie blogathons hosted by Gill and Barry. So many fine writers participate, and it’s a chance to really hone in on a particular topic, while learning what tickles the fancy of others taking part. Maintaining the pace of new movie reviews that I’ve committed to often prevents me from joining in, but this time, it worked out well.
The title of the blogathon makes the mission crystal clear. We are to select a mismatched couple/pair from a film and write about why it was interesting and/or entertaining. Mismatched couples have been a staple of cinema since the early days, and the trope is certainly not tied to any particular genre. Maybe “Cop” movies are most commonly recognized for this, as they often use the “good cop vs bad cop” approach, but it’s also prevalent in domestic dramas (THE ODD COUPLE), action movies (TANGO & CASH), mysteries (Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson), classic films (Rhett and Scarlet in GONE WITH THE WIND) and even romantic-comedies (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY). For my entry, I chose former BFF’s Colm and Padraig from THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, which also happens to be my favorite movie of 2022.
Wickedly talented writer-director Martin McDonagh is the creative force behind this movie, as well as the instant classic, IN BRUGES (2008). In a brilliant move, McDonagh re-paired the lead actors from the earlier film in hopes of re-capturing their onscreen magic. The move definitely worked, as Colin Farrell as Padraic and Brendan Gleeson as Colm are both terrific in this film as they personify “Mismatched Couples.”
It’s 2:00 in the afternoon and Padraic does what he does every day. He knocks on the door of his lifelong friend, Colm, so they can head to the pub for a pint. Only this isn’t every other day. It’s a new day. Colm doesn’t answer. Padraig is a simple man who thrives on his routine and his friendship with Colm. Now for this to qualify as a ‘mismatched couple’, there must be conflict and tension. Initially we are as confused as Padraig, but soon enough Colm bluntly informs him that they are no longer friends, and that not even pleasantries will be exchanged – despite their history, and the forced proximity of living in the same village on an island. Colm has visions of a brighter future without Padraig, and Padraig is bewildered as he tries to figure out what he did wrong.
Part of the brilliance of the film and this relationship stems from the fact that these two gents are not the only mismatched couple, yet it’s their abrupt fallout that has an impact on so many others in the close-knit community. As Colm pursues his fiddle music and builds a new network, Padraig plunges into a funk, and finds the troubled town oddball (an excellent Barry Keoghan) buddying up to him in hopes of befriending Padraig’s sister (a terrific Kerry Condon). All of this creates choppy waters and dark comedic elements (just as McDonagh designed it), yet the driving force here is the broken relationship between Padraig and Colm. Both actors are so good. The turns of violence are shocking, and because of it, fiddle playing becomes more challenging … and things don’t go so well for Jenny the miniature donkey either (yet another victim of the broken relationship).
Watching these two actors at the top of their game (Farrell received an Oscar nomination) allows us to buy into this unfortunate break in what had been a long friendship. Some of the situations come across as outlandish, yet the actors bring a nuance to the characters that draws in as we anxiously hope for reconciliation, rather than a war to match what’s occurring across the bay. The idea of a couple of buddies becoming ‘mismatched’ after years of friendship makes this one of the more unusual … and interesting … and tragic … ‘mismatched’ couples in cinema.
Here is my original review of THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN from November 2022
https://moviereviewsfromthedark.com/2022/11/03/the-banshees-of-inisherin-2022/
To read more entries in this blogathon and to access sites for Gill and Barry:
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Great review. Yes I absolutely agree with you on this one. This was also one of my favorite films of 2022. A devastating depiction of breakdown of friendship. Both Farrell and Gleeson were excellent in career-defining performances. However, what resonated the most with me was the film’s strong message about friendships falling apart. As an anti-social person that has often had difficulty with making friends, it hit close to home for me. I was shocked after it walked home empty handed not winning a single Oscar. Here’s why I adored the film: https://huilahimovie.reviews/2023/04/08/the-banshees-of-inisherin-2022-movie-review/
Got me to thinking about how many comedy couples are mismatched, Burns and Allen, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, the Smothers Brothers, etc.
Yes, it’s a proven path to successful entertainment. Your list is spot on.
[…] at David Ferguson takes us to meet the mismatched men in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) and his pairing of Padraic and […]
Though very dark and at the outset slow-moving, this is a fine film–the ultimate anti-buddy movie! Amazing performances by Farrell & Gleason and ensemble, and where we first took notice of Barry Keoghan. Need to watch again!
-C
The initial slow pace was necessary, I believe, to help viewers understand just what a shock it was for Padraig. And you are right, the pace did pick up and it’s extremely dark at times.
That was an excellent film and your appreciation for it shines trough your writing!
That was an excellent film and your appreciation for it shines trough your writing!
(PS : I’m not sure my comment was published so sorry if you receive it twice!)
Thanks so much!
Top-notch performances in this film, although I felt Kerry Condon was criminally underused. I felt it was a tough film to watch, yet it was moving and powerful.
She is terrific in every scene, and I think writing more scenes for her would run the risk of minimizing the conflict between the former buddies. It’s great to see she has more projects lined up.
intriguing review, David of a film I’ve never heard of! Considering the actors involved, I’m surprised I haven’t but thank you for putting it on my radar! It sounds a bit crazy and very interesting!
It’s certainly offbeat with dark comedic elements. Not one for the masses.
I have heard so many good things about this film and reading your post has made me decide that I have to hunker down and watch this asap! xox
“Hunker down” is one of my favorite phrases, and I’ll just caution you that the film’s dark humor is not to everyone’s taste.