The BANSHEES of INISHERIN-Colin Farrel and Brendan Gleeson Star

"The Banshees of Inisherin" is being bantered about as one of the year's best films.  To this blarney I say malarkey.  Though exquisitely shot along the cliffs of rural Ireland in the early 20th C, and despite exceptional acting from its cast, this was not enough to redeem the repugnant story of two former friends who go to incredulous ends for revenge.  Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) are two lifelong friends on a sparsely populated coastal island where everyone knows everyone's business.  It's dumbfounding to Padraic, and everyone else on the island, when Colm unceremoniously terminates their friendships.  Padraic pleads with Colm to explain what he might have done that would cause Colm to spurn him.  Not wanting to hurt Padraic's feelings, although that is what he's doing is causing him immense pain, Colm calls him "dull." Colm, an accomplished fiddler, wants to spend what time he's left doing something meaningful and composing music for his legacy.  Padriac wears his emotions on his sleeve and can't understand why he their friendship would impede anything.  This quiet town offers few diversions for its intertwining eccentric locals.  The town folks include a scary, corn-pipe smoking hag, a shopkeeper who reads everyone's mail, a perverted cop and his simpleton, irrepressible son.  The movie derives its poignancy from the strong performances of its ensemble cast and its outstanding lead characters played by Farrell and Gleeson.  Farrell and Gleeson are reprising their co-starring roles by writer/director, Martin McDonagh who also made "In Bruges".   Both "In Bruges" and "Inisherin" are dark films dealing with themes of loneliness and despair.  The pangs of rejection and yearning reverberate in Padraic's eyes and echo in longing for companionship in Padraic's sister, played by Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan as the dimwitted, abused son of the constable.   Emotions run high laden with lager and longing but prior to the combustible climax, self-mutilation destroy what was a haunting tale of friendship.  To what extent will people go when pushed to their limits?  As Padraic says, "There are some things there's no moving on from." My tolerance was drenched under torrents of revulsion.  This banshee offers her wail of warning not to get swept up in the lore heralding "Inisherin."  It may prove to be your down falling.