The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) - 66.5 Points

Chuckles, 29, Laughs 25, Belly Laughs 9
Notes: I watched this movie with my wife since it has been nominated for so many awards. I had zero expectations because I'd never heard of this film before and as it started, the only thing I knew is that it took place in or near Ireland and it starred Colin Farrell. It seemed very slow (make with the feckin' Banshees, like!) with a plot that I didn't think could carry the film or keep my interest though I loved the beauty of the land. Even though I could catch most of the dialog and get the gist of things, I turned on the subtitles (which I would highly recommend) and the movie really came to life for me. I laughed a lot. I I found the dialog to be brilliantly written and executed. Since it seemed like a drama, I wasn't sure if I should be laughing or not but I couldn't help it. This is quintessential Irish storytelling; sometimes dark, often tragic with just enough comedy to make it bearable (Angela's Ashes). Every scene with Dominic (played brilliantly by Barry Keoghan - "Feck the Godshites!") is pure gold! "Mad-eye Moody" (Brendan Gleeson) delivers the unflinching performance you'd expect of him.

I didn't score/rate the movie the first time I watched it because I had no idea it was going to continue to be funny until the movie was nearly over, so I watched it a second time, within a week and it still held up. Though the film features funny dialog, this is really not a feel-good comedy. It's more of a tragedy with humor thrown in to keep the balance. Lord only knows how a tragic drama with a simple plot can score more points than pure comedies but The Banshees of Inisherin does exactly that. I didn't see that coming!
Would I watch it again? For the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; ye know I would, like.  Yes!