WHY DID COLM CUT OFF HIS FINGERS?? The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) / THE ULTIMATE ANALYSIS
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- Опубліковано 18 січ 2023
- Warning: Contain lots of Spoilers and Personal Interpretations*
UPDATE: Although on the video I said 'most likely' he is dying based on his behavior and other clues, I cannot assume he is dying. Instead I would say he is somehow 'contemplating' death a lot (he is old enough to be worry about it), and hence his despair and legacy preoccupation. Even his musical masterpiece is about the Banshees (the announcer of death) and he planned to play it on his and/or Padraic funerals. The whole movie is a beautiful contemplation on death, lost, grief, change and growth as he loses all his meaningful connections at once - Colm cuts him off, Dominic dies, his sister leaves and his donkey passes. You can clearly see Padraic going through the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. And real growth only comes after those. So, I guess, the view presented on this video still works.
Another important aspect of this movie, and related to what I have mention above, about one having (or not) the strength to go through the process of loss and grief, is that there are two rings of dynamics changing at the same time. The main one is the one affecting Padraic and his relationship with Colm (the masculine/idol/father figure) and Shioban (the feminine energy of love). And the other (and less obvious) is the one surrounding Dominic, Pradaic and Shioban. In this second and more fragile one, Dominic suffers the same kind of loss as Padraic does. As Padraic changes and looses his 'innocent aura', Dominic also 'loses' his best friend (or the image he had about him as an example of good/pure masculine - as his real dad is abusive). He (Dominic) also loses his Platonic feminine figure of love in Shioban. So, both Padraic and Dominic are facing similar abrupt changes in their dynamics and life views and have to rapidly cope with the new situation. The difference is that, at the end, Padraic shows that he has the inner strength to go through this hard process of change and growth, but unfortunately Dominic doesn't. And that happens to no fault or credit to/of anyone. It is just how life unfolds.
As a plus insight, Colm as a violinist is also a puppeteer. It uses his fingers to play strings and produce music that animates (manipulates) people.
Hope you enjoy my analysis!
Very interesting analyses I can really relate to (having seen the film three times already and going for the fourth), thank you! By the way: have you seen that in the last scene of the two at the beach Colm has all his fingers on his left hand (it's just a very short moment they're seen as Padraic approaches him) and there are no footsteps on the beach from the burned house to where he stands? And that in the last shot we see from behind the Banshees back up on the hill the Banshee sits right in the middle between Colm and the parting Padraic? To me this clearly tells that Colm didn't leave the burning house, but willfully died in there. The last dialogue Padraic had with Colms Ghost without realizing it, and the presence of the banshee watching plus the last shot over her back represents her parting the living from the dead. This really fits into your view expressed in above video, don't you think?
Have watched is so many times I think I have memorized the dialogue. It was the second or third time I watched that I noticed that Colm's fingernails are black which can be a sign of melanoma. Perhaps he knew his days for composing and playing were numbered. Despite the absence of footprints behind Colm when Padraic walks back up the beach with Mrs. McCormick watching, it felt like an old western where the duelling parties were taking ten steps before shooting each other. It in ways portends (yes from the film), like the civil war raging in the background that hostilities once erupted can carry on beyond the present. Like when one group hates another because their ancestors did.
The hand thing isn't true. I just rewatched that scene like 5 times after seeing this and they for sure never show his left hand in for the entirety of that scene. And after the wide shot when they show the ground around at 1:46:40 you do see foot steps on Colm's side of the beach, though it's true they weren't in the wide shot when Padraic first sees him.
The best analysis I have ever seen 🙌
Intriguing and excellent analysis. I have watched the film twice, and with this and one other analysis I have listened to has really added to my experience with, and appreciation of, the movie (Banshees).
A good analysis giving food for thought.
Interesting take, thank you!
Good luck with the channel!
Thank you Mary! Much appreciated!
thank you for your deep viewing of this outstandingly complicated movie. This movie will be the one of those to be watched again again, and still find some new element, emotion and symbols. Both men, or everyone on the island, are in the prison under sheltering sky-sea of Ireland where staying or leaving both will eventually turn to hell. The tragedy is that they all aware of this hopelessness yet must continue. Unhappiness with no exit. Even Colm survives to continue his hated being of non-meaning. I am certain we will see more in the movie when we watch it again. Thank you for sharing me your wonderful interpretation and well captured pictures.
Good job on your video, interesting take on a great film
Hi Eric!! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching it!
To the best of my knowledge, no one has addressed the casual sleeping arrangement between Padraic and Siobhan. Usually in these situations there is a sheet or blanket that separates the two so there is some semblance of privacy. Without partners on the island, I wonder where or how sexuality is expressed. Thoughts?
Clearly, entertainment that requires this much explanation would not be box office material. Only not being one feint of heart would finish watching it, looking, and not wanting to see what human beings are capable of, incapable of redeeming themselves, or being redeemed. It is hard to leave our islands.
UPDATE: Although on the video I said 'most likely' he is dying based on his behavior and other clues, I cannot assume he is dying. Instead I would say he is somehow 'contemplating' death a lot (he is old enough to be worry about it), and hence his despair and legacy preoccupation. Even his musical masterpiece is about the Banshees (the announcer of death) and he planned to play it on his and/or Padraic funerals. The whole movie is a beautiful contemplation on death, lost, grief, change and growth as he loses all his meaningful connections at once - Colm cuts him off, Dominic dies, his sister leaves and his donkey passes. You can clearly see Padraic going through the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. And real growth only comes after those. So, I guess, the view presented on this video still works.
Another important aspect of this movie, and related to what I have mention above, about one having (or not) the strength to go through the process of loss and grief, is that there are two rings of dynamics changing at the same time. The main one is the one affecting Padraic and his relationship with Colm (the masculine/idol/father figure) and Shioban (the feminine energy of love). And the other (and less obvious) is the one surrounding Dominic, Pradaic and Shioban. In this second and more fragile one, Dominic suffers the same kind of loss as Padraic does. As Padraic changes and looses his 'innocent aura', Dominic also 'loses' his best friend (or the image he had about him as an example of good/pure masculine - as his real dad is abusive). He (Dominic) also loses his Platonic feminine figure of love in Shioban. So, both Padraic and Dominic are facing similar abrupt changes in their dynamics and life views and have to rapidly cope with the new situation. The difference is that, at the end, Padraic shows that he has the inner strength to go through this hard process of change and growth, but unfortunately Dominic doesn't. And that happens to no fault or credit to/of anyone. It is just how life unfolds.
And as a plus insight, Colm as a violinist is also a puppeteer. It uses his fingers to play strings and produce music that animates (manipulates) people.
Hope you enjoy my analysis!
Withdrawing is a symptom in ill stricken man and animals. Colm is at least spiritually sick. Perhaps he removes his dominant hand's fingers, otherwise he'd be tempted to do something to Padraic (left with his left hand, the "Pillar of Mercy" intact, he removed the "Pillar of Severity"). 10:00 Sensible take. On the supernatural horror side:
Colm does blaspheme in the bar argument with his talk on "niceness" being "forgettable" (e.g. The Saints, Jesus, ect.) There's the trope of the musician at the crossroads that makes a deal with the devil for fame and renown, like his and Padraic's fork in the road. Colm's song title suggests a bit of guilt there. The Virgin Mary statue observing their parting of ways redoubles that. If he hadn't been so jealous with his time to compose his 'masterpiece', perhaps the old crone McCormac's prophecy wouldn't have been completed. They chose violence, excess, the pagan old ways of feuding and vendetta, rather than "the good news". The movie's great to unspin on multiple levels.
Thought provoking commentary on a beautiful film! Personally, tend towards your second scenario.
We all need to learn to stand on our own two feet
Dehpt
Colm isn't dying
We all are, sooner or later. For Colm it's definitely sooner, and his thoughts of having not left enough of a legacy are typical of humans that have a legit cause to prepare for death.
The video says "most likely' he is dying. There are clues. His despair, his unusual behavior, his sudden preoccupation with legacy, his disregard about his body and pain, the Banshee sitting on his chair...Although Colm says that he is not dying, the video takes the path of he being acting, so we dont' know what part of his affirmations are true or not. And finally, even if he was not dying, he might (will) be soon...he just lost five fingers, using a rusted pair of scisors, uncared exposed wounds licked by his dog, in a island in 1920's...Sepsis (general infecction) might get him in the end. Anyways, it is just a different take on the story.
I don’t think he’s dying, I think he just felt like he wasted his life and his potential