The Banshees of Inisherin - 9 nominations

 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Kerry Condon

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Colin Farrell

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) Carter Burwell

Best Motion Picture of the Year Graham Broadbent (producer) Peter Czernin (producer) Martin McDonagh (producer)

Best Achievement in Directing Martin McDonagh

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Brendan Gleeson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Barry Keoghan

Best Original Screenplay Martin McDonagh

Best Achievement in Film Editing Mikkel E.G. Nielsen

At the heart of Banshees is an ending friendship between a pair of lifelong mates, Colm and Padraic.  At first, Colm just stops talking to Padraic with no explanation but eventually, he relents and tells the Irishman that he is just too boring.  Colm wants to live out his life composing music and building his life's legacy, and waste no time on anything else. In a small village with people who have done the same thing day in and day out for decades, this decision seems particularly cruel, and Colm adds the threat that if Padraic won't leave him alone, he will cut off a finger for each time that Padraic talks to him.  (Spoiler alert: Colm is not being hyperbolic.)

At the same time, Padraic's beloved sister has found a job on the mainland and has informed him that she will be moving away from their shared home. Colm causes the accidental death of Padraic's pet miniature donkey. It's a lot of loss for one person, and Padraic loses his grip and promises Colm dire consequences.  

Honestly, I haven't even addressed the side story lines and characters - one of whom is actually nominated for this film!  The entire principal cast of this film is nominated for their brilliant work in this masterpiece.  I'm not the first to say, but I have never seen Colin Farrell better. If you only know Brendan Gleeson from the Harry Potter films, you're in for a serious treat.  In a year where Avatar and Top Gun are in the Best Picture list, Banshees of Inisherin is the quiet, complex, character-driven, deeply emotional story we needed for balance and equilibrium. The movie is no flash, all substance, with a sprinkle of magic the Irish bring to storytelling like nobody else.  It is absolutely worth seeing.