Les Banshees d'Inisherin

Enjoyed this far more than I expected. The plot feels both incredibly simple and deeply symbolic. So much so it leaves you pondering it's meaning long after the credits roll.

What's better - to lead a simple but honest, good life or be remembered for something deeper and more far reaching - and indeed why should there be a choice between the two?

The love for the animals gives the characters a sweet charm and innocence, and they're all still likeable despite strangeness and flaws.

It is strange, at times funny, poignant, sweet, and most certainly watchable. Great acting all round and a breath of fresh air.

You've played together, endured the weather, for many years; but something's changed, you've been estranged, gears now sheared; the reason seems completely mad, you've not done anything that's bad, the situation's quite bizarre and very weird. So you persevere, keep holding out your hand, but all that does, is cause the flames, to be more fanned, out of spite your friend wont linger, raises more than a mid-finger, it's like you've been black balled, suppressed, banished and banned. More diplomacy results in loss and pain, while there's nothing to be won, you won't refrain, the lines have now been drawn, only one thing this will spawn, it's as avoidable, as it's stupid and insane.

Reflecting the friction and war taking place over the water, and the reasons for it, with four outstanding performances, although Barry Keoghan absolutely knocks it out of the park, a film to get you thinking about what it means to get along, and the repercussions when two tribes don't, even over the most trivial of torments.

After years of friendship, Colm decides that he no longer wants to engage with, or even talk to his former friend Padraic. Padraic refused to accept being shunned, and pursues Colm, who promises some extreme retaliation.

It's a film that gives you hope for the future of film making, truly original, funny, dark, it's like no other film I can think of. Worlds away from what I've seen on the big screen for some time. You don't know whether to laugh or cry, it truly doesn't follow any of the usual rules.

It is such an unusual, but pretty fascinating story, how on Earth can two grown men, two adults that have been friends for a long time, suddenly drift apart, becoming feuding strangers? It does actually happen. The main question here, is what changed, what pushed Colm to this point?

A story of ego, pride and stubbornness, it shows how something small can get out of hand, and escalate into something huge.

The characters are so rich, not just the two leads, but the likes of Mrs McCormack and the shopkeeper are great.

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are terrific, it's the best films Farrell has done for years. Barry Keoghan steals several scenes, he's brilliant.

The visuals are breathtaking, the landscapes, the shots of the animals are tremendous.

8/10.

I couldn't tell if it was trying to be profound, subtly comedic, thought-provoking or all of the above. It kind of failed at all of them.

I don't think it deserves the praise it has received - it was okay, it had some mildly amusing moments but it had one storyline which doesn't really go anywhere and I soon lost interest. In Bruges was superb and I watched again in advance of going to see this. Maybe I shouldn't have, as this just doesn't get anywhere near it for comedy, warmth or character development.

The acting is brilliant, the scenery is spectacular, but I just didn't get it. It was... okay.

Super locations. Great photography. Masterful Production design. The acting is world class. So why didn't I enjoy this film? Because it promises to say something and goes nowhere. I'm obviously in the minority here but I wish my expectations hadn't been raised so high. It's dark but a slow almost empty darkness. I'll forget this film very quickly. Which is a good thing for me but doesn't say much for the quality of the story. It feels like there was much more there somewhere but it didn't make it out. Perhaps watching it on a rainy Monday evening didn't help. Also please don't go thinking this is a comedy or anything at all like 'In Bruges'. It's very far from funny. It's very far from the quality of that film.