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Anyone seen "The Banshees of Inisherin"?

104 replies

scoobydoo1971 · 27/10/2022 23:45

With a few hours to spare, I looked up films in the local cinema. This was the recommended film, with promising reviews on Google from film critics. I sat down hoping for a thought-provoking visual feast. Two hours later I left that cinema in clouds of despair, and depressed by all aspects of it. I just thought it was awful, in so many ways. Some people walked out before it ended. I don't want to get into spoilers, but has anyone seen this? I just don't understand the rave reviews and feel like I missed something.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 28/10/2022 00:38

I saw it tonight. I thought it a good film, but definitely not upbeat, and also not a great choice when you're feeling emotionally bruised by an Irishman, but that bit is probably specific to me.

FirstFallopians · 28/10/2022 00:45

I’ve seen some people on local social media groups raving about it, but they’re Irish and we have a tendency to think something is amazing purely because it’s from here (see also- Derry Girls)

OldTinHat · 28/10/2022 01:05

I saw it on Monday and quite enjoyed it. A very different film and was refreshing in that respect.

Remona · 28/10/2022 01:11

I thought it was great. Very dark and rather quirky but it was different. Most definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I thought Colin Farrell was absolutely fantastic. I shed a few tears, especially over Jenny.

It was all the repetition that amused me. Someone said something, then it was repeated three or four times!

CuteCillian · 28/10/2022 01:24

I watched it last Friday in one of the huge cinemas in Leicester Square. The setting was in complete contrast to the location I was in. It went down seemingly well with the London audience.
I thought the acting was very impressive. Martin McDonagh seems to have got the knack of telling rather bleak stories about human behaviour with the odd touch of black humour. Three Billboards was a similar vibe.
I was upset about Jenny and the desperately sad life of Dominic. Writing this, I realise I agree with you scoobydoo1971, clouds of despair were swirling.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 28/10/2022 01:43

I haven’t seen it but it’s tagged as a comedy drama on IMDb. That doesn’t sound right based on this thread!

EBearhug · 28/10/2022 07:28

Oh, there were some funny lines. Possibly not as funny as the bloke in the seat next to me seemed to think, mind.

sashagabadon · 28/10/2022 07:30

I wanted to see it but my local cinema is not showing it and it doesn’t sound worth a trip to a bigger cinema

EBearhug · 28/10/2022 07:32

There's a lot of Film4 money in i'r, so it probably won't be too long before it's on TV.

BobStrangeNameforaGirl · 28/10/2022 07:33

I agree it is totally miss sold as "comedy drama". It was totally not what we were expecting and I wouldn't watch it again.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 28/10/2022 07:34

I thought Colin Farrell (and the rest of the cast) were brilliant, and it was beautifully filmed. I enjoyed the funny lines, other parts had me feeling very sad/emotional, and it was a thought provoking story, but my overall feeling was that it was a bit weird. It was certainly much darker than I was expecting it to be.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 28/10/2022 07:35

i want to see this
loved In Bruges - same actors

Menopants · 28/10/2022 07:35

I thought it was fantastic but I had a fair idea of what it would be like. I want to visit achill island now

Zampa · 28/10/2022 07:39

Is is like In Bruges (dark comedy) or more bleak?

The synopsis I read makes Banshees sound unremittingly grim.

drudgewithagrudge · 28/10/2022 08:22

I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't describe it as a black comedy but as a dark story with some funny lines.

SnowBrussels · 28/10/2022 08:33

I haven’t seen it yet but Martin McDonagh’s work is an acquired taste, as is his brother’s, and I’ve seen people walk out of their plays/films before.

BEAM123 · 28/10/2022 08:39

We went to see it last night, expecting comedy. The warning at the start that it contained DV and wasn't suitable for under 15's puzzled me, but it wasn't wrong!

It started out very funny but then turned very bleak. I thought the cinematography was well done, the location and light in the way it was filmed really captured the despair. Siobhan was the only splash of colour. Very sad about the wee donkey!
I was definitely a bit traumatised by it though!!

Madagascary · 28/10/2022 08:43

I thought it was amazing, and really funny in places

Madagascary · 28/10/2022 08:44

You need to know that it’s a metaphor, not sure if that’s the correct term, for the Irish Civil War. Think about it tells you about human relationships, people used to get on and then are distanced for no reason at all

BEAM123 · 28/10/2022 08:49

Madagascary · 28/10/2022 08:44

You need to know that it’s a metaphor, not sure if that’s the correct term, for the Irish Civil War. Think about it tells you about human relationships, people used to get on and then are distanced for no reason at all

Aha.....and cutting off your nose to spite your face...

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 28/10/2022 08:58

Brilliant acting all round but if you're looking for similar to In Bruges... you may be disappointed.
It's quite dark.

XanaduKira · 28/10/2022 09:12

I watched it last night and thought it was just so strange. The acting was phenomenal and some funny one liners, but it was so sad (Dominic was heartbreaking) and Siobhan was the only splash of colour. The scenery was amazing and the cinematography fantastic though.

I felt like I wasn't clever enough to 'get' it but seeing @Madagascary say it's a metaphor for the Civil War, now it makes sense and I'd quite like to see it again having that perspective on it.

Madagascary · 28/10/2022 09:23

Yes, but even knowing that watching that you had to keep concentrating!!. I just thought it was so beautiful and measured

RaininginDarling · 28/10/2022 09:53

I loved it. Also thought it was tonally mis-sold by marketing but love MM's work so went into it with eyes open.

Has he said its a metaphor for the civil war? I can see how it might be but his writing works on lots of levels and I felt it was exploring existential themes: what gives life purpose and meaning if all we do is die (the war on the horizon underlines that ticking clock) - and it's pretty explicit in the dialogue, tbf with Gleeson's character determined to leave his mark artistically before he dies. And there's the thread of responsibility inherent in choice, running right through the various intersecting stories, which is an existential preoccupation in itself - even when our choices are limited (ie where we are born, the family we're born into, the talents we have, the opportunities around us) there's always choice even if that choice is how we respond to the hand we're been dealt (quite literally, in this case)

Anyway, I found it beautiful and, in a film cast to the hilt with great talent, I hope Farrell and Keoghan win lots of gongs.

psychomath · 28/10/2022 09:58

In Bruges is my favourite film but I really didn't like Three Billboards, so I'm on the fence about going to see this one - would you say it's closer to the latter?

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