What does renowned writer-director, Martin McDonagh, has up his sleeve next?
Without three feature films, McDonagh has still made a large impact on the film world with his efforts. In Bruges took people by storm and is still delivering for many as one of their favorite films. A pair of Irish hitmen were forced to look at their lives while in the small and endearing city of Bruges. Quite the little flick (and it was sure darn funny). Going a little bigger and over-the-top (while sacrificing a bit of the gravitas), Seven Psychopaths finds a screening writer trying to make his cool concept come to life while he must process the psychopaths in his own path. But it was Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri that made the biggest impact. Awards season shined quite the light on this American set drama filled with deeply resonant themes for American society.
But can McDonagh continue this streak with his latest flick?
This film has a much more intimate feel to it as it highlights Ireland as a first for McDonagh. There is an expected brand for a McDonagh film and Banshees does not disappoint. Will you laugh? Plenty. Will you be pushed past some limits? YES. Are there unexpected layers that will surprise and shock you? Most certainly. McDonagh is here to challenge, and Banshees offers plenty of themes and ideas to process. At the core, we have a fracturing friendship. There is no big mystery (except this reasoning becomes impressively compelling and engrossing) but there is still something deeply relatable and impactful about this conflict between our estranged friends, Padraic and Colm. But the themes do not stop there. The fallen friendship is but a doorway into a commentary on the existence and the impact we all leave on this world. There are the small-town politics and cruelty of the isolated and judgmental town of Inisherin. The snow globe of existence that is Inisherin is a compelling background against the Irish civil war and the dangers and anxieties of branching out from your safety zone. Life’s challenges become a bigger and more poignant theme as the film goes on. Not even capitalism and religion are safe in McDonagh’s dark comedy. The metaphorical work of pets, music and the Banshees themselves are just the cherries on top of this deliciously dark sundae.
McDonagh certainly delivers plenty of layers to his film but what about the actual story at the heart of it?
This story of friendship, siblinghood, and the tensions of a small town makes for quite the experience. We fall for Padraic quickly. He is just one of the nice ones. We cannot fathom why Colm would no longer want to be his friend. But when those layers are pulled back, there is a complexity that we all should expect from McDonagh. We think Colm is wrong (or maybe some won’t) but we fully understand the perspective that he comes from. But the friendship that turns to combative animosity is not the only thread we follow. The story of Padraic and his sister Siobhan is equally compelling. Loneliness is an unwelcome friend for both, and they find solidarity together. But the societal pressures of this island community push the boundaries for both, and we see how they will each react. The town (and its residents) become quite the characters themselves and how they all fit into the central conflicts of the film. Even Dominic, the local “dim” town folk, becomes a central crux to the evolving relationships that our main characters have with this small community and themselves.
Depth is the highlight of McDonagh, but does he deliver on the darkly funny dialogue he is known for?
This is legitimately one of the funniest films of the year. I laughed throughout the film. The blunt and caustic language of this small 20’s Irish community is a wonderful backdrop to the themes and ideas of the film. The interactions between characters are dry, quick, and biting in the best ways possible. There is a genuine feel to how each character acts and their words pop in every scene. So many cast members get a chance to shine in this dynamically funny film. But don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other emotions invoked by McDonagh’s story. The descent of Padraic and Colm makes some horrifyingly poignant and unnerving stops along the way. There are few moments that have made me feel so sad and raw than some of the ramifications of their rivalry. The loneliness that penetrates Siobhan and Dominic’s existence delivers some impactful and resonant moments that will sit with you for a long time after the credits roll.
But can the technical aspects of this film deliver on the same level as the writing?
McDonagh directs the heck out of this one. The tone does the tightrope walk that McDonagh has mastered. Laughs mixed with sadness and shock. You will not know exactly where this all goes but McDonagh masterfully delivers at every turn. The pacing is sharp and propulsive. The dialogue is sharp and biting. The narrative is lean yet thematically dense. This is a masterclass in filmmaking. McDonagh’s team comes to play too. Cinematographer Ben Davis delivers a sharp and beautiful landscape and the small-town world that is irresistible to look out for. The camera is engrossing and pulls the audience into the intimacy of this story. But it just might be composer Carter Burwell who steals the show. This score is so specific in its sound and emotionally resonant at every turn. The personality of the film is partially defined by Burwell’s work because it is so quickly iconic that I could not feel this film without it. McDonagh’s teams come together to deliver some of their best work…period.
But is this cast up to snuff?
You bet they are! This cast came to play and they all deliver impressive turns in their own right. Colin Farrell has a tall order to fill as Padraic. Likable and one of the good ones is a tough deliverable. But the journey that Padraic goes on as well as his hardening is only so effective as Farrell delivers an impressively charming and endearing turn. But we are challenged to love the Padraic at the end of this film. Either way, Farrell is delightful and impressive at every turn. Then you have his partner in crime, Brendan Gleeson. He is a towering presence in whatever film he is in. His presence allows the audience (and Padraic) to feel intimidated to inquire about what is going on. There is a sense that he can snap at any moment. There are some great moments of physical acting that Gleeson delivers while giving Farrell’s Padraic the silent treatment. When things escalate, Gleeson rises with it and meets the film emotionally where it needs to be.
Kerry Condon is an absolute delight. Her charisma is off the charts and the easiest character to connect with. She is funny, charming, strong, and vulnerable. There is one moment in the bedroom where Condon can show this range and have the audience connect with Siobhan even deeper. Barry Keoghan… he is something else. This manic and off-the-wall performance skirts the line between parody and genuine awkwardness. There is a scene between Condon and Keoghan that will be hard to forget. Then there are plenty of great performances across the board from the minor characters (including Pat Shortt who is the pub owner who steals every bit of screen time that he can).
Is this McDonagh’s magnum opus?
The Banshees of Inisherin is a special film with an even more telling title (but you will have to figure that out on your own).
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Up until this point, I would have to say yes. The complexities and depth of the themes are impressively poignant and impactful. The cast is miraculous with our two leads killing it at every turn and the two closest supporting performers almost stealing the film out from under the leads. There are tons of laughs but also some real tangible emotions along the way.
Contributed By : Shane Conto
