The spirits of the island – Review of the film by Martin McDonagh

The spirits of the island: Review of the film winner of the Coppa Volpi at Venice 79 for best leading actor.

Well today we review the acclaimed The spirits of the islandwhose original title is the unpronounceable and far more hermetic, perhaps evocative, The Banshees of Inisherin.

Opus directed and entirely written, starting from his own original story and screenplay, as has always happened so far, from the increasingly talented and surprising Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri), here on his fourth and celebrated foray behind the camera.

Successfully presented and, immediately, obtaining sensational highly flattering reviews 79th Venice International Film Festival, The spirits of the islandafter having wreaked havoc at the very recent edition of the Golden Globes, he deservedly won nine nominations for the Oscars very valuable, obtaining however the greatest nominations as far as the major categories are concerned, that is Best Film, Best DirectingBest Actor and not, and, precisely, best original screenplay. Now rightfully entering, with good reason, among the most admired and praised films of the 2022 season.

Film of the consistent and yet perennially compelling and crackling duration of one hundred and fourteen minutes flat and decidedly full-bodied, as well as narratively succulent, The spirits of the island it is an exquisite and very tasty, unmissable cinematic dish truly mouth-watering vintage.

McDonagh there he finds Colin Farrellto which he entrusts the main role, after the equally previous collaborations with In Bruges – The conscience of the murderer & 7 psychopathsalso establishing another reunion of significant value with Brendan Gleesonin turn co-starring with the same Farrell of the second and aforementioned kinestic proof of such director now unstoppably and unquestionably ascendant among the most interesting and currently essential in circulation.

Plot, which we set out in a few synthetic lines so as not to spoil the surprises:

The story is set in the year 1923. The tribulation and torment is ending Irish Civil War and this conflict, in all likelihood, must have disturbed and shaken emotionally, perhaps unconsciously, especially the innocent.

In this case, the marine inhabitants of the picturesque and ancestral, fictitious named island Inisherin. Where two longtime friends live but of different ages, respectively the herdsman simpleton and of humble origins Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) and the experienced, shrewd and restless, surly and not a little irascible violinist Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson).

Their, apparently tested and indestructible, indissoluble bond of friendship is suddenly broken by the unexpected, for Pádraic shocking, sudden and irrational decision, by an adamant Colmto sever their relationship out of the blue.

From day to night, in fact, without precise reasons, without any previous warning that could anticipate the decision dictated and lightning-fast, as well as fulminating the soul of Pádraic, Colm he no longer wants to speak to Pádraic, without providing detailed and plausible explanations. Simply, for obscure reasons, completely unknown and not clearly expressed to him, Colm he no longer desires the company of his former friend. Dodging it and even disgusting it.

Pádraic he is shocked and visibly hurt, extremely dismayed. Not understanding this unjustified affront, failing to resign himself to it, he vainly but desperately tries in every way to try to understand by what absurd motion of the heart and by what inscrutable, valid explanations, his unsuspecting friend, immantinent, has drastically distanced him from his life in a way as fast as it is painful and glacial. In a word, mortifying.

Destroyed, in the grip of the blackest despondency, in a confused state, he will even involve his sister Siobhan and, rest assured, good things will happen.

Why watch The spirits of the island

Unsettling, alternating hilarious and farcical tones of a typical brilliant comedy, as they used to say, with broadly dramatic tones, even tragic and full of dark humour dripping with biting sarcastic irony, beautifully photographed by Ben Davis and perfectly fitted by Mikkel EG Nielsen, The spirits of the island he is an excellent Mr. unassailable film from every point of view and therefore widely commendable as in fact, fortunately, happened.

Farrell, in one of his most multifaceted and mature roles ever, he embodies, with painful fragility and painful adherence to the role sewn on him, the character describing it, giving it an admirable depth, not least, of course, it is incomparable Gleeson in great shape and disturbing as ever.

Likewise, the few side actors are excellent and are at least worth mentioning Kerry Condon And Barry Keoghan. Not for nothing, all four have been nominated as actors at the upcoming and upcoming Academy Awards with a Farrell in pole positionin his very first candidacy ever, ready to defeat the fierce competition.

As taut as the violin string played by Gleeson/Colmpoignant and melancholic, often brilliant and unpredictable from the first to the very last minute, delicately stratified, metaphorical and enigmatic, interpretable under multiple interpretations, even psychoanalytic, distressing and at the same time funny, The spirits of the island it is an irrefutable masterpiece.

Why not look The spirits of the island

However, if you are disturbed by the funereal rural atmospheres mixed with punchy jokes and interpreters who histrionically disengage in a wild expressive sarabande, if you don’t tolerate films with too much dialogue and, above all, not easily decipherable, forget it immediately.

The film is in theaters February 2 with Disney.

Direction: Martin McDonagh With: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan Year: 2022 Duration: 114 mins. Village: USA, UK, Ireland Distribution: The Walt Disney Company Italy

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