Monday, October 22, 2012

Review: Six Shooter (2005)

Conroy and Gleeson on the train.

Directed by Martin McDonagh
Produced by Kenton Allen and Mia Bays
Written by Martin McDonagh
Starring Brendan Gleeson, Ruaidhri Conroy, David Wilmot, Aisling O'Sullivan, Gary Lydon, Domhnall Gleeson, and David Murray

****

Martin McDonagh's Oscar-winning short is headlined by Brendan Gleeson and unknown Ruaidhri Conroy as a pair of train passengers. Mr. Donnelly (Gleeson) has just lost his wife, when he sits across from a "kid" (Conroy) on the train. Across from them are a man and a woman who's just lost her infant son. What should be a brief, relatively normal train ride turns into a violent affair that is downbeat, jarring, and, ironically, funny. 

As a clear precursor to In Bruges, much of the film consists of the two leads having offensive, hilarious conversations, including a memorable, outlandish story about a cow. It's not surprising that McDonagh's film debut uses his off-color humor in the dialogue, and his distinctive style is also incorporated effectively. Gleeson's character is a depressed, endearing protagonist, fleshed out by the always brilliant veteran performer. Also, Conroy's humorous performance appears to have been studied by Colin Farrell for his lauded portrayal of Ray in 2008's In Bruges. Both of the actors inhabit their characters wonderfully, conveying their subtle pain and spouting blunt witticisms without pushing the material too far. Though, this duo is merely the tip of the iceberg compared to what McDonagh would deliver with his first feature. This film is dark and amusing, and, even though it's only twenty-seven minutes long, it belongs in the conversation with McDonagh's two features. 

Oscar Tally: Best Short Film, Live Action (won)

10 comments:

  1. I'm glad you reviewed this one. I saw it several years ago, and I thought it was excellent, though pretty disturbing. I think I might've reviewed it. Brendan Gleeson is amazing.

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    1. Thanks, I've been wanting to see it for years. I admire how McDonagh can take such bleak scenarios and add humor to them. And Gleeson is wonderful.

      Found a post on the 2005 Oscar Nominated Short Films on your blog. Great post. I need to see the rest of those films, but I have seen the feature-length version of Cashback.

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    2. I would like to see the feature-length version of Cashback sometimes. I really liked Sean Biggerstaff in the short.

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    3. I liked the feature version, so I'd recommend it.

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  2. I have not seen anything by Martin McDonagh yet as people say his movies are so violent. That said I might give Seven Psychopath a rent and this one too as I do like Brendan Gleeson.

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    1. They're definitely violent, but they're not any worse than Tarantino's films. Sounds great, Ruth, but I'd also recommend In Bruges. In my opinion, it's McDonagh's best film.

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  3. Finally watched it. WTF!!!! Martin McDonagh is one twisted man.

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    1. Isn't he? In a good way, though. ;)

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    2. Yes, in a good way. I love how his films are always unexpected and shocking.

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    3. Yeah, he's quite good at that.

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