By Stuart Adelberg
This weekend my wife and I went to see THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, where else, but the Avon! I went in knowing less in advance about this film than I usually do about Avon screenings. I knew that it had received accolades on the film festival circuit and that the two actors playing the lead roles, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, had been lauded for their strong performances. The film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, and I was aware that he had also received great acclaim. Despite my limited knowledge of this newly released film, these reviews, and, of course, my affection for the Avon both made me eager to see it. Though I enjoyed the experience, I struggled a bit as I left the theatre, to decide exactly what I thought of this unusual film. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN left me spending a good amount of time thinking about what I had seen, which is not something that happens with every film. Since thinking is the type of activity I try to do, at least occasionally, I suppose I am happy that I chose to see this!
From a cinematic perspective, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN has it all – unique characters portrayed by well-directed and exceptionally talented actors, beautiful cinematography, a well-crafted and intriguing screenplay. The story is essentially about the unfortunate and somewhat unexplainable end of a long-time friendship and the interesting, if not somewhat bizarre set of events that this fissure sets into motion. There are many other elements to the story and a number of strange people integral to the plot, but it is the disintegration of this friendship that is truly the thread woven throughout the entire film. Set in 1923 on a fictional island off the coast of Ireland, the story plays out with the Irish Civil War noticeably happening in the background. I am probably not doing justice to the synopsis, but I can truthfully say that the film held my attention from start to finish.
Is it a comedy, historic drama, a thriller, a mystery, or a narrative of the incomprehensible intricacies of human relationships? I don’t really know. In fact, I think at different moments THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is each of these things and more. And that is, perhaps, what led me to think about it so much. This film doesn’t fit neatly into one category or description in much the same way that Colm’s decision to end his lifelong friendship with Pádraic doesn’t come with a neat or ordinary explanation. It just happens and both the audience and the film’s characters have no choice but to go with it and experience the consequences.
Yesterday someone asked me what I thought about THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN and I replied that I’m still not sure. I told her that I am glad that I saw it, but that I feel like I am still not quite finished musing about it. She pointed out that if the film led me to devote so much time to thinking about the story and the characters, it must be pretty good – and, of course, she was right. Isn’t that exactly what we want quality film to do? My attention was so diverted by my thought processes that I didn’t notice how much the film had touched me and how moved I had been from the experience. So now, I am comfortable responding with certainty. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is, in my opinion, an unusual, but very good film. You must see it – where else, but the Avon!!
Stuart Adelberg is the Executive Director of the Avon Theatre Film Center, a non-profit, community supported independent cinema in downtown Stamford. He has a long history of involvement and leadership in the region’s non-profit arts and human services communities.
