Review/Rave: The Banshees of Inisherin

Why we need to discuss this superb, but baffling film…

Dec 21, 2023

The Banshees of Inisherin

Occasionally I see a film that I can’t stop thinking about, and feel the need to discuss it, Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin is one such film.

I’ll be honest I didn’t know anything about it, in fact the only reason I’d even heard of it was because it’s been discussed on my favourite Podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, presented by two Irish women Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams. Whenever a brilliant new Irish film or TV Series comes out, they are always mock-offended at not being asked to be involved with it on some level, and as an aside, they both very much appreciate Colin Farrell, who stars in the film.

They also pronounce the word Banshee beautifully, with the emphasis on the SHEE, not the BAN. Which was contrary to my own childhood which was full of ‘screaming banshee’ references, with the emphasis on the BAN, not the SHEE, like Banjo.

I wonder if the Irish pronounce BanJO, like they do BanSHEE. Anyone?

My best hope for this film was to hear Colin Farrell say BanSHEE several times, as melodically as the Ghosted Girls, and that in itself would have made it worthwhile.

But I was wrong. No mention of any banshees at all, it was just a metaphor, as is everything else in the film, which I didn’t realise when watching it.

If you have seen it, you will now be leaning forward eager to join in the discussion at the end of this post, because the main thing about this film is how baffled you are by it! However, once you know the secret to the film, that confusion turns to awe, it is a masterpiece.

Now, just to clarify, I don’t say that lightly, and I’m no film snob, quite the opposite. In fact I have a long history of disagreeing strongly with ‘the Academy’.

I still look at The English Patient as 2 hours and 42 minutes of my life that I’ll never get back, and heavily resent it’s slowness of pace, versus it’s duration of time, why oh why? They could have easily cut out 50 minutes and no one would have noticed… but that’s just my humble opinion.

Whereas the genius that is Pulp Fiction received seven Oscar nominations, and yet only left the ceremony with Best Screenplay, which really does reinforce my misalignment with the Academy.

Just to prove my point ‘Banshees’ received 9 Oscar nominations and didn’t win any! That year it was pipped in almost every category by ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which, true to form, I hated. Except of course, for the Jamie Lee Curtis character, utterly brilliant, and worth seeing the movie for.

The disclaimer

Before you scurry off and watch it, I will say that ‘Banshees’ is not for everyone. I cannot imagine Mr.D getting much past the first 15 minutes without a lot of huffing and puffing, such is the slow pace on the fictitious Island where it’s set.

There are no special effects or guns, no one gets shot. There is full-frontal nudity, but not the kind that anyone wants to see, ever. In fact if there was a button that I could press now, so that I could ‘unsee’ it, I would.

It’s based on a remote Irish Isle in 1923, very small cast, probably as many animals as people, and strictly no fashion or technology.

The film in itself is a very relaxing watch, which I think is due to the remoteness of the location and therefore the slow pace of the island, rather than the storyline, which is anything but relaxing. The plot is punctuated by stunning shots of the landscape which really helps to diffuse the growing tension between the two main characters.

Not only was I riveted until the end, I realised I hadn’t checked my phone once, or reached for my iPad during, which is something of a record.

So if you’ve not seen it yet, please add it to your watch list, and stop reading this now, but save this post so you can come back later, because you too, will want to discuss it.

Hopefully you can find a couple of hours over the festive season to veg out on the sofa and this is the perfect excuse.

By the way, there is no time limit on this, it could be next week, or next year, just pop back here, continue reading and I can help you piece it all together, because you, like me, will be beyond baffled and have too many questions.

I’ll get a notification when someone posts in the Comments below, so I’ll be here, when you’re ready to pick up the thread.

Right, off you go my pretties, and come back when you’ve seen it.

turned on projector — Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

Or, if you’ve already seen it, please step this way >>>

The post-viewing explanation

How did you find it?

Stunningly beautiful landscape? ✔️

Slightly concerned about the horses shitting in the house? ✔️

Totally confused by ALL of the main protagonists’ actions? ✔️

I must admit my ‘morning after’ was spent still wondering what the hell it was all about… I tried to raise a discussion on my ‘Girls’ WhatsApp group, but only one person had seen it and the conversation soon dissolved into speculating on whether Colin Farrell’s tracksuit in The Gentleman1 was the best film outfit ever.

We all agreed it was.

So I turned to Google, and after a few rabbit holes, found this utter gem of an explanation.

I urge you to read all of it, and then pop back >>>

Aaaah, the relief of it all!

Well, what do you think of the film now?

Suddenly it’s no longer just two angry men having a fall out… now it’s bloody genius with it’s metaphorical mayhem!!!

Now, with the explanation, it’s a work of art.

I love this film so much more now I understand the point the film maker was trying, and very much succeeding in making!

I’m now wondering how many other films I had simply dismissed as rubbish while just not understanding them, maybe there are some hidden gems in there.

The weird thing about this film though is that on first viewing I didn’t dislike it, I was just confused by it and very frustrated with the characters. I’m so glad I sought out the explanation and equally pleased to be able to pass it on to you.

Hopefully I will be able to hear your collective aaah’s as all the pennies fall into place.

You’re welcome.

K8x

PS: Do you think anyone has ever understood this film just by watching it? Perhaps Irish historians, but that’s surely about it?!

PPS: If you’ve seen it, do you think the crossing off of the days on the calendar was the only way to tell what day it was? No telly, no radio, would newspapers have made it to the island? If so, surely not on the right day? Let’s discuss…

PPPS: Also very happy to discuss My Therapist Ghosted Me if you’re a fan! 😉