An impressive drama, woven around the conflicts between just a few characters, against the gorgeous and mysterious background of an island on the west coast of Ireland
On a remote island off the west coast of Ireland (the filmed landscapes are particularly picturesque), live two good friends, Pádraic (Collin Farell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson).
At one point, Colm suddenly changes his attitude, which will cause a state of confusion for Pádraic. (Confusion that will be accentuated when Colm confirms to her that “he didn’t do or say anything to her”, but that, simply, “she doesn’t like him anymore”).
A more sensitive nature, Pádraic will “take to heart” what happened and will gradually realize that his life has changed without him having done anything and without knowing why.
The absence of the friend from the landscape of everyday life seems to weigh more than even the presence.
Until Colm tells him that he wants more time to compose and to leave something behind, to the detriment of the “useless chatter” that was wasting his time when they were drinking together.
The viewer will in turn be confused and try to understand the mystery of this psychological game.
With picturesque settings and excellently rendered locale, Martin McDonagh’s film is, first and foremost, one of atmosphere. You feel “there” not only because of the director’s skill, but also because of the extremely truthful acting performances.
And, once a participant in the action, you want to know more, because you sense that in this drama there is a secret, something more that needs to be deciphered. (Actually – it will turn out along the way – it wasn’t a secret, but just pride, attitude and a dash of madness).
In the “The Spirits of Inisherin” it’s about friendship and attitude, but also about human solidarity: when Siobhán, Pádraic’s sister, kicks out the donkey, and when she tries to resist hosting Dominic, the “village fool”, for a night, she unwittingly rehearses the same position on which Colm had towards her brother.
And cynical characters lacking both heart and scruples, such as the policeman (Dominic’s father) complete a varied gallery of human typologies.
Sure, Colm’s “deal” (he will cut off a finger every time Pádraic bothers him) is one that appears to the viewer as absurd, but it is McDonagh’s way of staging the famous saying “art requires sacrifice”.
But it’s about more than that – we can be human without giving up our passions. We can be more tolerant of the one next to us, even if we are not doing well or we feel that time is pressing. Pádraic wasn’t the smartest man in town, but he wasn’t the dumbest either. He had no reason to be treated this way, and in the end the stigma falls rather on those who humiliate him.
Set during the Civil War in 1923, “The Spirits of Inisherin” recalls, at its best, the plays of playwright Eugene O’Neill. With characters with strong feelings, whose dramas are consumed slowly, on a smoldering fire, until they explode, figuratively speaking. “Everything in life is a luxury, starting with the fact that you are born”, once wrote Cesare Pavese, and this also seems to be one of the morals of the film of the Irish director, who also signs the script.
It’s remarkable how you can build an entire scenario starting from just the conflicts between a few characters – and at the end you have the impression that everything turned out perfectly. At some point, Pádraic will change and unleash his vendetta, but he will retain a shred of humanity in him – as we all do, in fact.
Colm’s dialogues with the priest during the confessional are not accidentally inserted into the film, nor are the shots with the statue of the Virgin. We have a guide during our earthly existence, but we also have free will – and it is up to us how we use it and what choices we make.
If we choose wrongly, even a beautiful and apparently lasting friendship can turn into the darkest nightmare.
The ending is shocking but weighty enough: neither forgiveness nor revenge will fully triumph, but rather coexist, just like the good and evil in man.
The dreamlike settings, appropriate soundtrack, moral/religious implications and truthful portrayal of the characters make “The Spirits of Inisherin” a memorable film, a definite success.
The film is dedicated to the memory of Jon Gregory, a British film editor.
It should be noted that “The Spirits of Inisherin” was awarded the prize for the best film (comedy/musical, although it is more of a drama, nn) and for the best screenplay, and Colin Farrell for the best actor, at the “Golden Globe”, but he did not won no Oscars.