Fine Feckin’ Friends with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson

On the list of ironies cleverly tucked into The Banshees of Inisherin is a certain reel-versus-real-life paradox. With a deft, and gently absurdist — Beckett-ian, even — style, the film follows the story of two friends on a small Irish island who have fallen out with each other, although the film’s dynamic duo, Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, share a unique and deep friendship in life off-screen. 

That much was abundantly evident when the pair perched on the big white couch last night at the Arlington Theatre for the last of this year’s SBIFF actor tributes. (Tonight’s “Outstanding Directors” panel spotlights stars from behind the camera.)

References to Banshees, writer-director Martin McDonagh’s brilliant and imaginative film, started early and stayed late, understandably. The film has wowed critics and audiences, not to mention tickling Oscar buzzers. Asked by moderator Dave Karger (TCM) if he’s been taken aback by the whirlwind response and award-season hubbub, Farrell replied, “I have a pretty fecund imagination,” pausing and adding, with a grin, “That’s fecund, not fecking,” triggering much laughter in the full-ish house. Continuing, Farrell added, “But I couldn’t have imagined this would be happening, and that we would be in Santa Barbara.”