Gli spiriti dell'isola

You've played together, endured the weather, for many years; but something's changed, you've been estranged, gears now sheared; the reason seems completely mad, you've not done anything that's bad, the situation's quite bizarre and very weird. So you persevere, keep holding out your hand, but all that does, is cause the flames, to be more fanned, out of spite your friend wont linger, raises more than a mid-finger, it's like you've been black balled, suppressed, banished and banned. More diplomacy results in loss and pain, while there's nothing to be won, you won't refrain, the lines have now been drawn, only one thing this will spawn, it's as avoidable, as it's stupid and insane.

Reflecting the friction and war taking place over the water, and the reasons for it, with four outstanding performances, although Barry Keoghan absolutely knocks it out of the park, a film to get you thinking about what it means to get along, and the repercussions when two tribes don't, even over the most trivial of torments.

Enjoyed this far more than I expected. The plot feels both incredibly simple and deeply symbolic. So much so it leaves you pondering it's meaning long after the credits roll.

What's better - to lead a simple but honest, good life or be remembered for something deeper and more far reaching - and indeed why should there be a choice between the two?

The love for the animals gives the characters a sweet charm and innocence, and they're all still likeable despite strangeness and flaws.

It is strange, at times funny, poignant, sweet, and most certainly watchable. Great acting all round and a breath of fresh air.

Are those who live on islands human beings like everyone else? This film clearly tells us no: the island, an enclosed place where everything is concentrated and which the surrounding sea keeps compressed, deeply affects its inhabitants and permeates them with itself, sickens them with its own disease. The latest film by Englishman Martin McDonagh (in his 4th feature film, with 3 films behind him, all of which are top-notch) is absolutely superb: for storytelling ability, for location (evocative, rocky Irish island), for the brilliance of the screenplay (let's face it: McDonagh writes really well!), for acting (impressive Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, also excellent Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon). The story is told of Padraic (Farrell), good and kind, who, overnight, loses the consideration of his greatest friend, Colm (Gleeson). Why? Because I don't like you anymore, because you're boring, Colm replies to him, and I don't want to waste my time with you anymore. And Padraic, who is not as sharp and intelligent as he would like to be but is esteemed for his courtesy and good spirits, does not understand this. Colm, who plays the violin and composes music, is obsessed with the passing of time, with the need to indulge his art in order not to be forgotten. His art demands total exclusivity from him, leaving no room for the banality of feelings. But is this the real reason, or is Colm going mad? At this point, what follows is a jeu de massacre between the two ex-friends, surrounded by various minor characters that McDonagh knows how to connote with felicitous psychological notations and a keen sense of humor. And then there are the animals, almost sacred emanations of the island, loved and respected, more than human in their affective reactions. And there is the war, distant but present, of which ominous explosions are heard in the distance. And finally there is the old witch, a representation of Death that rivals even the Bengt Ekerot of "The Seventh Seal." In short, a beautiful and poignant film like few we see. Not to be missed!

After years of friendship, Colm decides that he no longer wants to engage with, or even talk to his former friend Padraic. Padraic refused to accept being shunned, and pursues Colm, who promises some extreme retaliation.

It's a film that gives you hope for the future of film making, truly original, funny, dark, it's like no other film I can think of. Worlds away from what I've seen on the big screen for some time. You don't know whether to laugh or cry, it truly doesn't follow any of the usual rules.

It is such an unusual, but pretty fascinating story, how on Earth can two grown men, two adults that have been friends for a long time, suddenly drift apart, becoming feuding strangers? It does actually happen. The main question here, is what changed, what pushed Colm to this point?

A story of ego, pride and stubbornness, it shows how something small can get out of hand, and escalate into something huge.

The characters are so rich, not just the two leads, but the likes of Mrs McCormack and the shopkeeper are great.

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are terrific, it's the best films Farrell has done for years. Barry Keoghan steals several scenes, he's brilliant.

The visuals are breathtaking, the landscapes, the shots of the animals are tremendous.

8/10.

Super locations. Great photography. Masterful Production design. The acting is world class. So why didn't I enjoy this film? Because it promises to say something and goes nowhere. I'm obviously in the minority here but I wish my expectations hadn't been raised so high. It's dark but a slow almost empty darkness. I'll forget this film very quickly. Which is a good thing for me but doesn't say much for the quality of the story. It feels like there was much more there somewhere but it didn't make it out. Perhaps watching it on a rainy Monday evening didn't help. Also please don't go thinking this is a comedy or anything at all like 'In Bruges'. It's very far from funny. It's very far from the quality of that film.