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ilybinaya's review against another edition
5.0
gosh, what a thoughtful story about a couple of potential murders written by martin mcdonagh.
by using the interrogation of the police and an insight into the writer, katurian’s relationship with his stories and how they are connected to the investigation (supposedly). as with most mcdonagh works, how the story ends isn’t really the gist of it. the importance lies in the story itself and the characters. watching wim wenders’ room 666, a short film dedicated to the future of the cinema, there’s a bit about how much the characters of the film being outshone by the emphasis on the director and the photography of the filmmaking process. this reminds me of martin’s work, which the characters hold much more weight than the director himself, and in which his identity as a playwright and a screenwriter becomes more prominent in the execution of his films.
a bit sidetracked about the film aspects, going back to the play, the pillowman features most elements you’d expect from mcdonagh’s works: dark humour, politically incorrect jokes, redemption, morality, religion, afterlife, karma… the pillowman focuses on the power of narrative, how stories can lure us into creating fragments of a character that we see ourselves in it, and glorifying ourselves to fit the ideals of what we value best. the way how the two detectives come up with their own versions of their made-up allegory to point out their dignity and righteousness. the way human nature is captured here is so realistic and captivating, which makes it such a great theatrical masterpiece. the pillowman is a metaphor of the character of katurian, in which he writes all those stories just in case there’s some kids who want to die in that way, that’s his idea of himself, and the way he pillowed his parents and his brother, makes him the literal pillowman in the story. there’s no poetic justice in this but purely morally speaking, the character arcs are fulfilled, as katurian, as a murderer, got the ending of what he should be granted for the wrong deeds he’s done. let me quote tupolski’s bit as the last possible piece of commentary i could make about the pillowman, “there was something about ‘the pillowman’ that stayed with me. there was something gentle about it. and the idea of, if a child alone, through some accident, he wasn’t really alone, he had this kind soft person with him, to hold his hand and whatnot. and that it was the child’s choice, somehow. made it somewhat, reassuring, somehow. that it wasn’t just a stupid waste.” it’s oddly touching in a way, though the story itself doesn’t seem so much sentimental and moving, it grabs you at the odd bits and leaves you feeling really mesmerised by it… that’s the power of narrative.
by using the interrogation of the police and an insight into the writer, katurian’s relationship with his stories and how they are connected to the investigation (supposedly). as with most mcdonagh works, how the story ends isn’t really the gist of it. the importance lies in the story itself and the characters. watching wim wenders’ room 666, a short film dedicated to the future of the cinema, there’s a bit about how much the characters of the film being outshone by the emphasis on the director and the photography of the filmmaking process. this reminds me of martin’s work, which the characters hold much more weight than the director himself, and in which his identity as a playwright and a screenwriter becomes more prominent in the execution of his films.
a bit sidetracked about the film aspects, going back to the play, the pillowman features most elements you’d expect from mcdonagh’s works: dark humour, politically incorrect jokes, redemption, morality, religion, afterlife, karma… the pillowman focuses on the power of narrative, how stories can lure us into creating fragments of a character that we see ourselves in it, and glorifying ourselves to fit the ideals of what we value best. the way how the two detectives come up with their own versions of their made-up allegory to point out their dignity and righteousness. the way human nature is captured here is so realistic and captivating, which makes it such a great theatrical masterpiece. the pillowman is a metaphor of the character of katurian, in which he writes all those stories just in case there’s some kids who want to die in that way, that’s his idea of himself, and the way he pillowed his parents and his brother, makes him the literal pillowman in the story. there’s no poetic justice in this but purely morally speaking, the character arcs are fulfilled, as katurian, as a murderer, got the ending of what he should be granted for the wrong deeds he’s done. let me quote tupolski’s bit as the last possible piece of commentary i could make about the pillowman, “there was something about ‘the pillowman’ that stayed with me. there was something gentle about it. and the idea of, if a child alone, through some accident, he wasn’t really alone, he had this kind soft person with him, to hold his hand and whatnot. and that it was the child’s choice, somehow. made it somewhat, reassuring, somehow. that it wasn’t just a stupid waste.” it’s oddly touching in a way, though the story itself doesn’t seem so much sentimental and moving, it grabs you at the odd bits and leaves you feeling really mesmerised by it… that’s the power of narrative.
liamthelemon's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
laurenrocks1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Very fast paced- finished it over a matter of hours. Dark and spooky story, though!
mint_frog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A haunting read. I've seen this play performed in a theatre some years ago, but the emotions are the same even just from reading it, which comes as a big surprise.
I can't form any coherent thought about themes and meanings at this point, but I'm sure this play is going to stay with me for a while. This is true art - it penetrates the skin and settles deep within you.
This play is masterfully written and keeps being funny even amongst all of the morbid details of the described situation. It never feels boring or dry, and the few characters feel alive and distinct.
In conclusion, I am in awe.
I can't form any coherent thought about themes and meanings at this point, but I'm sure this play is going to stay with me for a while. This is true art - it penetrates the skin and settles deep within you.
This play is masterfully written and keeps being funny even amongst all of the morbid details of the described situation. It never feels boring or dry, and the few characters feel alive and distinct.
In conclusion, I am in awe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Police brutality
Moderate: Suicide, Ableism, Torture, Murder, and Child death
Minor: Rape, Car accident, and Pedophilia
millymittens's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
steffk's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
tiffany_aching99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
ohclaire's review against another edition
3.0
this is a gruesome and very messed up play. there is also something so raw and poetic about wanting your stories to make it, especially when you won't.
casspro's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome. The best of McDonagh I've read. Haunting and disturbing, but still with a shred of humanity. Can't wait to see it staged.