People tend to forget that writer-director Martin McDonagh is first and foremost a celebrated playwright, and not the creator of awards bait and that’s just the way we like him.
The Oscar-winning writer and director hasn’t released a film since “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. That one turned out to be a surprising Oscar contender, with 7 nominations. I doubt McDonagh ever thought his movie would be a major Oscar player, but all the better for it.
Five years later, McDonagh is back with a smaller-scaled film, in the same vein as “In Bruges.” However, tamper down those “In Bruges” comparisons a bit …
Yes, “The Banshees of Inisherin” is a two-hander like ‘Bruges’, and stars the same lead actors, but it’s said to be very different in tone. The film screened in New York City for press a week or so ago and word is that McDonagh has made a VERY dark comedy, but one steeped in brilliant screenwriting and excellent direction. It’s another winner from him according to the person I spoke to.
As for awards potential, a screenwriting nod is a possibility. The film, however, might be too small-scaled and darkly humorous for Oscar voters. However, ‘Three Billboards’ definitely put McDonagh on the map with Academy voters, so maybe just maybe, if the film is one of the better-praised of the fall festival circuit, it stands a chance.
‘Banshees’ reunites McDonagh with his ‘Bruges’ stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The duo play friends who live on a remote Irish isle and whose relationship is turned upside down after one of them abruptly ends the friendship, which results in “alarming circumstances for both.”
The film will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival next week, and will be released in theaters on October 21st.