What a film. I can't say it will sing to you like it did to me, but it's a rich story that does have something to say but knows mostly knows how to keep it simple but not thoughtless. It's got great performances and plenty of scenery that I can't help but enjoy.
Out of all the films I've watched over the year, this one might have the simplest story. In the most basic bare bones way of putting it; Colm (Brendan Gleeson) doesn't want to talk to Pádraic (Colin Farrel) anymore, but Pádraic wants to talk to Colm and that annoys Colm. That's pretty much the first half of the film and most of the second. The location is pretty desolate as it takes place on an island somewhere in rural Ireland. It also takes place somewhere in the early 20th century and there is a civil war going on, but because of the location being in the middle of nowhere that has little to no effect on the plot whatsoever and could just as easily be written out in a heart beat.
Now, not to give you the idea that this is a bad film. None of this deters the film from being good and it is not a hindrance but actually aids the film. The location is visaully strong in its green fields and stony walls that connect everyone there in one way or another. Provide the perfect background for the type of story as the simple squabble is the only thing going on for miles around and even though their motivations are simple, the characters are not. Though Colin and Brendan are the core driving force of the film, there are plenty of actors who perform at the best of their ability. Barry Keoghan plays Dominic, an impaired man who is almost always looking for trouble but is a good companion of Colin. Then there is his sister who brings some common sense which in a film like this it's lacking. That's not even mention of the Garda, the bar tender and the ghoul. Each and every member of this cast has a part to play in this symphony.
I may not have made it clear due to the mopeiness of the film, but this film is a comedy, a dark comedy, but a comedy all the same. This can be lost on first viewing as all the information you're getting is delivered in a serious way and the film mostly isn't looking to get laughs as it's very much a dramatic film but once in a while it will put a smile on your face.
It may seem like the story is plain and clear and it isn't without a twist or turn but there's one or two, and this isn't from elements brought into the story like that civil war, but that story reaches that point natural like a snowball rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger. It does shock you a little on first viewing as you may be under the impression this film has no stakes or causality. It's almost refreshing if a film can surprise you, especially with a seemingly stale story.
I'll cut my review short before I reveal too much as I imagine this is enough to prompt you to watch the film. My opinion is a but strong as I resonated with this film, but it's still good and definitely worth watching.
Out of all the films I've watched over the year, this one might have the simplest story. In the most basic bare bones way of putting it; Colm (Brendan Gleeson) doesn't want to talk to Pádraic (Colin Farrel) anymore, but Pádraic wants to talk to Colm and that annoys Colm. That's pretty much the first half of the film and most of the second. The location is pretty desolate as it takes place on an island somewhere in rural Ireland. It also takes place somewhere in the early 20th century and there is a civil war going on, but because of the location being in the middle of nowhere that has little to no effect on the plot whatsoever and could just as easily be written out in a heart beat.
Now, not to give you the idea that this is a bad film. None of this deters the film from being good and it is not a hindrance but actually aids the film. The location is visaully strong in its green fields and stony walls that connect everyone there in one way or another. Provide the perfect background for the type of story as the simple squabble is the only thing going on for miles around and even though their motivations are simple, the characters are not. Though Colin and Brendan are the core driving force of the film, there are plenty of actors who perform at the best of their ability. Barry Keoghan plays Dominic, an impaired man who is almost always looking for trouble but is a good companion of Colin. Then there is his sister who brings some common sense which in a film like this it's lacking. That's not even mention of the Garda, the bar tender and the ghoul. Each and every member of this cast has a part to play in this symphony.
I may not have made it clear due to the mopeiness of the film, but this film is a comedy, a dark comedy, but a comedy all the same. This can be lost on first viewing as all the information you're getting is delivered in a serious way and the film mostly isn't looking to get laughs as it's very much a dramatic film but once in a while it will put a smile on your face.
It may seem like the story is plain and clear and it isn't without a twist or turn but there's one or two, and this isn't from elements brought into the story like that civil war, but that story reaches that point natural like a snowball rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger. It does shock you a little on first viewing as you may be under the impression this film has no stakes or causality. It's almost refreshing if a film can surprise you, especially with a seemingly stale story.
I'll cut my review short before I reveal too much as I imagine this is enough to prompt you to watch the film. My opinion is a but strong as I resonated with this film, but it's still good and definitely worth watching.