Comedy
Ireland,United Kingdom
Six Shooter is a 2004 Irish short film directed by Martin McDonagh. The film stars Brendan Gleeson as the older man who has just lost his wife and Rúaidhrí Conroy as the oddball youth. The film is a dark comedy that explores themes of grief, loss, and mortality.
The film opens with Gleeson's character boarding a train, clearly distraught and emotionally numb from his recent loss. He attempts to mind his own business but is interrupted by Conroy's character, a strange and unpredictable youth who begins to regale Gleeson with stories of his life. The stories are often graphic and disturbing, and it becomes clear that Conroy's character may be more than just eccentric.
As the train journey progresses, the relationship between the two men becomes increasingly surreal and unpredictable. Gleeson's character begins to see visions of his deceased wife, while Conroy's character becomes more and more unhinged. The film culminates in a shocking and violent confrontation that leaves both men forever changed.
Six Shooter is an intense and impactful film that expertly balances humor and darkness. It is a standout example of McDonagh's unique voice and sensibility, which would later be explored in his feature films In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
