Reviews are in for Martin McDonagh’s upcoming darkly comic fable “The Banshees of Inisherin”, and the reaction has been universal acclaim.
With 25 reviews counted out of the film’s festival launch, the movie sits at a perfect 100% (8.4/10) on Rotten Tomatoes with the various critical takes on the film calling it McDonagh’s best since “In Bruges” and on par with (or better) than that film.
The movie pulled in a 13-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, said to be the longest and loudest reception for any film to debut there this season.
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, ‘Inisherin’ follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship.
A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer.
But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.
Here’s a selection of quotes from various reviews of the film:
“Another great feel-bad treat from Martin McDonagh, featuring one of Colin Farrell’s best performances yet as a guy trying (and failing) to deal with the fallout of a falling out.” – Dan Jolin, Empire Magazine
“A quietly magnificent film so caustically, hauntingly and sometimes raucously sad… Farrell and Gleeson’s lovely, perfectly mismatched performances… both betray their own manner of gaping, aching vulnerability.” – Guy Lodge, Variety
“A simple and diabolical tale of a friendship’s end shot through with bristling humor and sudden moments of startling violence.” – Todd McCarthy, Deadline
“It’s his quietest movie and, in many ways, his most touching, which is not to say that it won’t make you squirm in your seat as you wonder if it’s OK to laugh at what he’s throwing at you.” – Steve Pond, TheWrap
McDonagh’s last film, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” saw its stars snag Oscars and the movie land a Best Picture nomination. This exits Venice as a serious awards contender for this year alongside Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale” and Todd Field’s “Tár” which also premiered on the Lido and both have received high praise for the performances of their leads.
Searchlight will open “The Banshees of Inisherin” in U.S. cinemas on October 21st.
Source: Variety
