Movie: Banshees of Inisherin

[Anonymous]

Anyone seen? I liked it but found it confusing. Interested in others' thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I saw it the first night it came out. While I liked the acting, the story left a lot be desired. Made no sense.

[Anonymous]

Terrible movie, very disappointing as I love the work of that writer. I found it weirdly oppressive but I think it was a) partly intentional and b) partly because I'm from England with Irish ancestry and so there's a nearness to it all, which is familiar but also repellant.

[Anonymous]

I loved it. I really loved it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

I think he wasn't just focused on his music but was having a horrible breakdown - a sort of mid-life crisis, except he didn't have a wife to rebel against, but a best friend who'd served as his companion. Also it was supposed to be confusing - that's why Padraic was so confused.

Part of what I loved is that through the whole horrible thing - which I found incredibly, breathtakingly sad - the two men were committed to their island. I thought their love for their animals was very moving, and also was a sort of manifestation of their love for the island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

I think he wasn't just focused on his music but was having a horrible breakdown - a sort of mid-life crisis, except he didn't have a wife to rebel against, but a best friend who'd served as his companion. Also it was supposed to be confusing - that's why Padraic was so confused.

Part of what I loved is that through the whole horrible thing - which I found incredibly, breathtakingly sad - the two men were committed to their island. I thought their love for their animals was very moving, and also was a sort of manifestation of their love for the island.

Good points. Of course, their friendship (and the confusion, heartbreak and sadness) is also a metaphor for the civil war.

Agree the roles the animals played was so important in their lives - but that was also confusing. Padraic spares Colm's dog but then Padraic's donkey dies due to Colm's actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

I think he wasn't just focused on his music but was having a horrible breakdown - a sort of mid-life crisis, except he didn't have a wife to rebel against, but a best friend who'd served as his companion. Also it was supposed to be confusing - that's why Padraic was so confused.

Part of what I loved is that through the whole horrible thing - which I found incredibly, breathtakingly sad - the two men were committed to their island. I thought their love for their animals was very moving, and also was a sort of manifestation of their love for the island.

Good points. Of course, their friendship (and the confusion, heartbreak and sadness) is also a metaphor for the civil war.

Agree the roles the animals played was so important in their lives - but that was also confusing. Padraic spares Colm's dog but then Padraic's donkey dies due to Colm's actions.

The donkey's death was an accident, and Colm was heartbroken that he had caused Jenny's death. He also then acted as if he deserved to die. Padraic spares Colm's dog because he is fundamentally a decent person, no matter how far he has been pushed - and also, back to it being a metaphor, he still loves this island. If he purposely killed a pet, it would destroy what he loves in himself and in his island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved it. I really loved it.

Me too. If you know the West of Ireland or even rural community life it makes more sense. Lovey movie. Beautifully shot and acted.

[Anonymous]

I loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

Because he needed an excuse for why he had wasted his life and hadn't created the great musical works he assumed were just waiting inside him ready to be fiddled away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I really vacillated between loving the characters (and the superb acting) and hating the overall plot.

SPOILER ALERT: If Colm wanted to end friendship with Padraic because he wanted to focus on more cerebral things, specifically his music, then why the hell would Colm threaten to cut off his own fingers - and then DO SO?!!

It just seems like the whole storyline was off and it wasted what could have been a wonderful film.

I think he wasn't just focused on his music but was having a horrible breakdown - a sort of mid-life crisis, except he didn't have a wife to rebel against, but a best friend who'd served as his companion. Also it was supposed to be confusing - that's why Padraic was so confused.

Part of what I loved is that through the whole horrible thing - which I found incredibly, breathtakingly sad - the two men were committed to their island. I thought their love for their animals was very moving, and also was a sort of manifestation of their love for the island.

Good points. Of course, their friendship (and the confusion, heartbreak and sadness) is also a metaphor for the civil war.

Agree the roles the animals played was so important in their lives - but that was also confusing. Padraic spares Colm's dog but then Padraic's donkey dies due to Colm's actions.

Because, like the donkey, the dog did nothing. Padraic intended to kill Colm because it was his fault Jenny died.