Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
The Golden Globe Awards are known for celebrating the best of both film and television, and this year was no exception. Among the diverse and surprising nominees, two standouts emerged: The Banshees of Inisherin, a comedy film set in Ireland, and Abbott Elementary, a sitcom about a public school in Philadelphia. Both projects received critical acclaim and audience love, and both dominated their respective categories with multiple nominations.
The Banshees of Inisherin, directed by John Michael McDonagh, is a hilarious and heartwarming story of a group of misfits who form a band in a small Irish town. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as the unlikely leaders of the band, who have to overcome their personal and professional differences to make their musical dreams come true. The film also features a stellar supporting cast, including Brendan Gleeson’s son Domhnall Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Kerry Condon, and Dolly de Leon.
The film received eight nominations, the most of any film this year, including best musical or comedy film, best actor in a musical or comedy film for both Farrell and Gleeson, best supporting actor in any motion picture for both Keoghan and Gleeson, best director for McDonagh, best screenplay for McDonagh, and best original song for “The Banshees of Inisherin” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
The film has been praised for its witty and irreverent humor, its charming and authentic portrayal of Irish culture, and its uplifting and inspiring message of following your passion and finding your tribe. The film has also been hailed as a comeback for Farrell and Gleeson, who previously starred together in McDonagh’s 2008 cult classic In Bruges.
Abbott Elementary, created by and starring Quinta Brunson, is a mockumentary-style comedy that follows the lives of the teachers and staff of a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show tackles the challenges and joys of working in education, as well as the issues of race, class, and gender that affect the school community. The show also features a talented ensemble cast, including Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Parnell, and Lisa Ann Walter.
The show received five nominations, the most of any TV show this year, including best musical or comedy series, best actress in a musical or comedy series for Brunson, best supporting actress in a musical-comedy or drama series for both James and Ralph, and best supporting actor in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television for Williams.
The show has been lauded for its smart and hilarious writing, its realistic and relatable characters, its diverse and inclusive representation, and its social and political commentary. The show has also been applauded for its innovative and collaborative production, which was done remotely during the pandemic.
Both The Banshees of Inisherin and Abbott Elementary have proven that comedy can be more than just entertainment. They have shown that comedy can be a powerful and meaningful way of exploring and celebrating the human condition, in all its complexity and beauty. They have also shown that comedy can be a source of hope and joy, especially in times of uncertainty and hardship.
The Golden Globe Awards will air on January 10, 2023, on NBC, hosted by Jerrod Carmichael. Tune in to see if these two comedy gems will take home the gold.
