Last Film You Watched

Just watched the Banshees of Inisherin.

Superb.

The performances from Condon, Farrell, Gleeson, Shortis and the late John Kenny were outstanding and gripping.

The scenery was beautifully shot.

Plenty of laughs out loud but a
gripping darkness throughout.

Not a huge fan of modern cinema but this held me throughout, and I was surprised that it was 114 minutes in running time as it's slow steady pace did not drag at any stage, but kept me enthralled as to what would happen next.

Well done director Martin McDonagh and all involved.

One historic note - I don't think the Rev Edward Nangle, Bible thumping founder of the Achill Mission to convert papists to Protestantism would be amused that his church of St Thomas was used as a Catholic chapel in the film!!

Kudos to the current Church of Ireland community on Achill for allowing this - a true show of ecumenism.
 

Bluerover said:
Just watched the Banshees of Inisherin.

Superb.

The performances from Condon, Farrell, Gleeson, Shortis and the late John Kenny were outstanding and gripping.

The scenery was beautifully shot.

Plenty of laughs out loud but a
gripping darkness throughout.

Not a huge fan of modern cinema but this held me throughout, and I was surprised that it was 114 minutes in running time as it's slow steady pace did not drag at any stage, but kept me enthralled as to what would happen next.

Well done director Martin McDonagh and all involved.

One historic note - I don't think the Rev Edward Nangle, Bible thumping founder of the Achill Mission to convert papists to Protestantism would be amused that his church of St Thomas was used as a Catholic chapel in the film!!

Kudos to the current Church of Ireland community on Achill for allowing this - a true show of ecumenism.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll know a lot more than me about this, but apparently the film is based on the Irish civil war. I didn't pick this up at all as I pretty much know nothing about it but it would add an interesting angle
 
coollino said:
I'm sure you'll know a lot more than me about this, but apparently the film is based on the Irish civil war. I didn't pick this up at all as I pretty much know nothing about it but it would add an interesting angle
Click to expand...
No, it is set in the time when the Civil War was being fought (1922-1923) but the only references in the film are incidental such as characters hearing cannon and gunfire from the mainland.

Also, the rather oafish Garda (policeman) who regales Colm about being called over to the mainland the following day as there was to be an execution and 'they' want extra men in case there's any trouble. Then it becomes clear he is most interested in the 6 shillings and a free meal, but is looking forward to seeing an execution - although he would prefer to see a hanging than a firing squad!!

Then he reveals his uncertainty as to 'they' are who were doing the execution - the Free State (Government) or the IRA (Rebels against the Treaty establishing the FS.)

A bit of black comedy here - the Garda Siochána, or Civic Guard as they were called until 1923 - were of course employed by the FS Government. The IRA would hardly request assistance from a Garda!!

The film is really an examination of how friendships can suddenly disintegrate and in no time lead to unimaginable and shocking events.

Perhaps the film is hyperbolic in this, but there is certainly a reality in life that people who were friends and companions for many years can suddenly fall out over something completely unexpected.

Here Pádraic is clearly unable to understand Colm's sudden change.

No spoilers for those who have yet to see this excellent film!!
 
manhunter-gif.gif


11pm bbc2 tonight.
 

Bluerover said:
No, it is set in the time when the Civil War was being fought (1922-1923) but the only references in the film are incidental such as characters hearing cannon and gunfire from the mainland.

Also, the rather oafish Garda (policeman) who regales Colm about being called over to the mainland the following day as there was to be an execution and 'they' want extra men in case there's any trouble. Then it becomes clear he is most interested in the 6 shillings and a free meal, but is looking forward to seeing an execution - although he would prefer to see a hanging than a firing squad!!

Then he reveals his uncertainty as to 'they' are who were doing the execution - the Free State (Government) or the IRA (Rebels against the Treaty establishing the FS.)

A bit of black comedy here - the Garda Siochána, or Civic Guard as they were called until 1923 - were of course employed by the FS Government. The IRA would hardly request assistance from a Garda!!

The film is really an examination of how friendships can suddenly disintegrate and in no time lead to unimaginable and shocking events.

Perhaps the film is hyperbolic in this, but there is certainly a reality in life that people who were friends and companions for many years can suddenly fall out over something completely unexpected.

Here Pádraic is clearly unable to understand Colm's sudden change.

No spoilers for those who have yet to see this excellent film!!
Click to expand...
I thought the two friends falling out was a fairly obvious metaphor.
 
Bluerover said:
No, it is set in the time when the Civil War was being fought (1922-1923) but the only references in the film are incidental such as characters hearing cannon and gunfire from the mainland.

Also, the rather oafish Garda (policeman) who regales Colm about being called over to the mainland the following day as there was to be an execution and 'they' want extra men in case there's any trouble. Then it becomes clear he is most interested in the 6 shillings and a free meal, but is looking forward to seeing an execution - although he would prefer to see a hanging than a firing squad!!

Then he reveals his uncertainty as to 'they' are who were doing the execution - the Free State (Government) or the IRA (Rebels against the Treaty establishing the FS.)

A bit of black comedy here - the Garda Siochána, or Civic Guard as they were called until 1923 - were of course employed by the FS Government. The IRA would hardly request assistance from a Garda!!

The film is really an examination of how friendships can suddenly disintegrate and in no time lead to unimaginable and shocking events.

Perhaps the film is hyperbolic in this, but there is certainly a reality in life that people who were friends and companions for many years can suddenly fall out over something completely unexpected.

Here Pádraic is clearly unable to understand Colm's sudden change.

No spoilers for those who have yet to see this excellent film!!
Click to expand...


It's a metaphor for the Irish Civil War, as well as being set to the backdrop of it
 
Shevin Keedy said:
I thought the two friends falling out was a fairly obvious metaphor.
Click to expand...
Certainly it can be seen as such, but the causes of the falling out between the IFS and the Republicans were clear whereas Pádraic was unable to understand Colm's sudden change. Colm's explanation that Pádraic was boring and he just wanted peace could I suppose be similar to the IFS side wanting an end to fighting and to the unrealistic (in their view) aspirations of the Republicans for the full 32.


I can accept your interpretation though. In the end they seemed to continue their separate ways, neither leaving the island, and Pádraic does warn that its not over as Colm did not stay in the burning house.

Mind you, the film was made at a time (2022) when FG and FF had finally gone into Government together (2020, repeated in 2025).

Good conversations.
 
Bluerover said:
Just watched the Banshees of Inisherin.

Superb.

The performances from Condon, Farrell, Gleeson, Shortis and the late John Kenny were outstanding and gripping.

The scenery was beautifully shot.

Plenty of laughs out loud but a
gripping darkness throughout.

Not a huge fan of modern cinema but this held me throughout, and I was surprised that it was 114 minutes in running time as it's slow steady pace did not drag at any stage, but kept me enthralled as to what would happen next.

Well done director Martin McDonagh and all involved.

One historic note - I don't think the Rev Edward Nangle, Bible thumping founder of the Achill Mission to convert papists to Protestantism would be amused that his church of St Thomas was used as a Catholic chapel in the film!!

Kudos to the current Church of Ireland community on Achill for allowing this - a true show of ecumenism.
Click to expand...
And if you haven't already seen it, 'In Bruges' by the same director and also starring Brendan Gleeson & Colin Farrell is fantastic.

'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' also by McDonagh is a great watch if you enjoy this style of dark humour.



 


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