Inisherin, a small island off the Irish coast, late 19th/early 20th century: Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) have been best friends for life - but now, just like that, Colm breaks off their friendship. And this pushes Padraic, who was used to spend his afternoons in the pub with Colm, into a deep hole, especially because Colm's move came without any provocation. When he tries to get an explanation, Colm just answers he finds Padraic dull, and that he wants to get more out of life than just meaningless discussions. And furthermore, he needs some peace to compose a musical piece he will be remembered by. But Padraic isn't one to give up on his best friend that easily, even if that best friend doesn't want to hear from him, and employs his own sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) who's living with him and the local priest (David Pearse) in his favour - which only drives Colm furious, and he threatens to cut off his own fingers one by one should Padraic continue his behaviour. Now in his defense, Padraic tries to find other friends, but the only one keen to talk to him is village idiot Dominic (Barry Keoghan), whom Padraic before long finds very dim, plus their friendship gets Padraic at odds with Dominic's father, island cop Kearney (Gary Lydon), who just happens to be a friend of Colm's. And eventually, Padraic and Colm do get into an argument again, nothing too serious though - with the result that Colm cuts off one of his fingers and throws it at Padraic's door. Chocked as he is, and only now grasping the seriousness of the situation, Padraic makes his best effort to let go - but just can't, this way allowing the thing to spiral totally out of proportion ...

A pretty impressive picture, and not only because of its breathtaking landscapes that help give the film its unique atmosphere, and a very strong ensemble carrying the movie, but also because the film takes what's in itself a pretty sad story and turns it into a subtle comedy, one that lives from its quiet moments more than from its punchlines and that despite showing lots of heart never crosses the line to being sappy let alone cheesy but just spins a yarn that's both thoughtful and highly entertaining - and seemingly for not trying to hard to be.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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