The Banshees of Inisherin Have Ripped Out My Soul!
Sometimes I like the internet. Like today while I found myself commiserating the loss of my soul over watching the movie The Banshees of Inisherin. I sought out understanding over the symbolism in it.
I should have known not to watch it. I should have.
First of all, the title makes no sense. They even allude to that in the movie.
Banshees I’ve heard of. I don’t know what it is. Could be a Led Zeppelin song. I don’t know. But I’ve heard of it.
Inisherin though. Yeah, I’ve never heard of that.
When you say it out lout it kind of sounds like Ed Sheeran. So that in itself should have warned me away from watching the movie.
Ed Sheeran is the worst. He looks like the worst. He sounds like the worst. His songs are the worst. His face is the worst. His hair is the worst. His voice is the worst. His style is the worst. Literally everything about him is the worst.
I can’t stand Ed Sheeran. So I should have stayed away from The Banshees of Ed Sheeran..or Inisherin..or whatever.
The Banshees of Inisherin is nominated for an Academy Award. I’ve now seen two of the nominated movies, The Fablemans and Ed Sheeran. No I haven’t seen Top Gun. Sue me.
And so I suppose that’s the second reason I shouldn’t have watched it. You never watch nominated movies. They are always deep, sad and emotional. I’m a guy living in Henry County, TN. I don’t need any of those things!
But regardless, my significant other suggested it, and so I watched it. And as a result my soul was ripped from it’s ethereal place inside me, torn into a billion pieces and barfed up and out into the universe. I don’t know how I’m ever finding it now, not to mention putting it back together!
Now let me tell you something. They hook you into watching this movie by giving you a couple of tropes to wrap your (my) little brain around.
First, Irish people. Love ‘em!
Second, beautiful scenery. Love it!
Third, tavern. Love it!
Fourth, Colin Ferrell….oh wait a minute. Do not usually love him. Oh yeah better overlook this one.
Fifth, a miniature donkey. Oh my gosh, love it!
Sixth, pals! Who doesn’t like having pals! Love it!
So throw all that in there and you’re gonna love The Ides of Ed Sheeran too!
At least the first 90 seconds.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m pretty sure this movie makes some very good symbolic points about the utter insanity of war. There is an Irish Civil War happening during this movie, but it seems not a pertinent part of the main story. Ed Sheeran is an island. The war is on the mainland.
But let’s not forget about the war. Just put it in your back pocket.
But then you have these other symbolic characters:
Intellect played by Collin Ferrell’s sister.
Good, played by Ferrell himself. (Yeah you’d think it’d be a stretch, but hey, he is an actor! Does a good job.)
And then maybe Ambition? It’s played by Brendan Gleeson.
Avarice is played by the local policeman.
Ignorance is the policeman’s son.
Oh yeah, there’s a priest who I’m sure represents Religion. You’ve got to have that.
So you mix all that together and then what the heck, let’s throw in a cute little miniature donkey, which I guess is Innocence!
And that’s how you rip out a grown man’s soul.
Probably also how you win an Oscar.
Stinkin’ Ed Sheeran.