Here's a short film, so it doesn't require a big commitment. It's stars Brendan Gleeson and Rúaidrhri Conroy. If you have seen any Irish movies lately, you'll recognize most of the cast. It's not a traditional comedy, but you might smile, a bit. I think this is the first movie McDonagh wrote and directed. It's definitely worth a watch!
shareOh! Please use the subtitles if you're having trouble with the accents! They are speaking English, you know, but they're hard to follow sometimes!
shareAs a matter of fact, I watched Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day, just a few hours ago, an Irish movie. And I'm a fan of Brendan Gleeson, so we're off to a good start.
shareI'm in early this time! lol
Not a traditional comedy true, but the film was funny. But films like this always make me laugh more than "proper" comedies.
I really like Brendan Gleeson, so I of course liked him here as well. An excellent actor. Also, a baby Domhnall Gleeson! I like him a lot as well. Their little scene together was fun.
Now, if I was stuck on a train with the Kid, I probably would've thrown myself off it as well. What an annoying little prick.
With only 27 minutes there's no time to waste, so I liked how everything came back to have a hand in the story. I didn't understand the cow bit though... But now I at least know not to set cow gas of fire, so there's that.
Great pick Dmack! I really enjoyed it.
EDIT: How are you supposed to pronounce Rúaidrhri? /just out of curiosity/
I'm pleased you liked it. Brendan Gleeson is one of my very favorite actors. Having Domhnall is just an added bonus. Domhnall was in so many great movies in the last few years: The Revenant, Ex Machina, Brooklyn, The Force Awakens. I think we will see him in a lot more in the future. Martin McDonagh is such a brilliant writer. This slice of life is impactful. I guess the first clue that something is off with the boy on the train is his lack of self awareness when speaking to others. He had no empathy for the couple who had the baby who died a cot death. I have no idea what the cow part means. Maybe he was telling us that some people are better off dead (his mother, him?). Or it was a metaphor for his explosive behavior? I need to read what some people wrote over the years. Another note of gratitude to Jim for archiving these forums so we can see what people thought.
As far as the name Rúaidrhai, I think it's Rory!
I'm looking forward to seeing more Domhnall in the future! He's shaping up to be one of my favourite young actors.
I agree, McDonagh is a great writer. Everything is constructed and set up brilliantly. The dialogue is very good as well.
Dewey said something that the cow bit was a clue about the Kid's sociopathic tendencies from childhood. It was funny, but also the bit with "it was the best day of my life" I think fits that. I like that theory.
Of course Rúaidrhai would be Rory... lol. One of these days I'm going to look up what stands for what in the Irish... alphabet?
The kid was awesome.
Gleeson had the whole train to sit on and picked that seat. Yes it was in the script. I get that.
He also didn't want to be alone. There was also something about him. He showed moments of humanity and likability.
Although few it was enough that Gleeson didn't change seats.
Even when he talked about banging the baby on something. This was awesome.
He announced that he wasn't a good kid. He didn't hide anything from anybody.
Like it or not he was annoying but likable. Sounds like somebody I know. Hmmmmmm
I was over-exaggerating for effect. It was a very well developed character for such a short film.
Those four people also show the different types of grief maybe, and the Kid I think helps illustrate that more. I agree, Gleeson didn't want to be alone. And maybe wanted something else to occupy his mind. He was patient with the Kid, connected with him. The other man became aggressive and angry. The woman stuffed everything down and quietly jumped off the train.
And yeah, the little prick was also likable.
Great point about the different types of grief. Also maybe the different stages of grief that
somebody may go through shown in 4 different people.
By the time he left the hospital I had already laughed out loud twice.
When the doctor said she didn't have a head left and when Gleeson put down the picture of David.
I was expecting their son or something then it was a rabbit. That was a nice touch.
I was kind of sorry that he shot the rabbit, however.
shareOh, yes, it could be the stages of grief as well. Great point as well.
That whole bit with the doctor got me too. So funny. And the Irish dialect makes it even more funny. Not because the Irish speak funny, but the way the thing is expressed in such a matter of fact way, or something... lol. I can't explain it properly
I wasn't expecting the rabbit either. It was just silly enough, and touching enough later on, and then sad.
The beginning really did set the tone.
When the doctor started telling Gleeson he had to go, Gleeson started asking him questions
and talking to him. He just found his wife died and they're having a conversation.
I know what you're saying regarding the Irish dialect. They have a much more colorful way
of expressing themselves. We don't have that over here.
Poor David. :(
I just thought of something...
David kind off suffered the same fate as the Kid's mother, kind off. He had no head left on him...
Also, do you think the Kid was suicidal? Before he shot his mom that is. He was running away on the train, but he seemed to be prepared to go down in a blaze of "glory". Suicide by cop is a thing that people do, right?
If Kid was suicidal and Gleeson was suicidal after his wife's death, there might be some connection with the blown off heads.
Or it might not be the suicidal thing at all. But both the rabbit and the mom were innocent victims in this.
Do you think there's something here, or am I looking too much into it lol.
Great catch.
I hadn't thought about that but you're right. It couldn't have been a coincidence.
Nothing in this film was by accident.
Suicide by cop is a thing , in the movies at least.
I'm not sure the kid was suicidal. I think he was more apathetic or nihilistic.
He was willing to die though. Not sure.
I think there is something there.
Gleeson was also just acting "matter of factly" (?) - He really didn't show any emotion until
he kind of broke down for a second. This could just have been because he was just in shock.
Did Gleeson blow David's head off because the idea was put in his head from what
happened to kid's mom or did he even realize that he would have blown David's head
off by shooting him?
I have no idea if this will make any sense to you. I'm not sure it makes sense to me.
I'm not too sure Kid was suicidal either. Just looking for some connection.
Gleeson might have still been in shock, yes. I don't think 24h had passed since his wife died. But both of them were acting a bit "nonchalant" considering. Was it the shock when Gleeson was talking to his dead wife and said something like "I don't know what to say to you", or was it something else.
I also wonder, did the Kid mean to kill his mom. Because the doctor said something about a barrett, so maybe he was playing around and shot her by accident. Like when the woman jumped off the train. He didn't mean to drive her to that. He didn't seem to realise fully what consequences his actions might have, maybe?
It makes sense, yes :P
I think it was a "coincidence" in the story. I don't know if he realised at that moment that it'd blow poor David's whole hear off. But to kill something, the best bet is to shoot it in the head, and at such close proximity... So it might have some larger significance looking at the story from the outside. Does _this_ make any sense? lol
I've been thinking about this. Or overthinking.
I'm going to watch it again tonight.
Is it significant that the movie is called Six Shooter and 6 things died?
It might be. I wondered why it was called that. But I stopped at it's the type of gun in the film.
Or is it God that has a six shooter, and there was no bullet left for Gleeson. I don't know, I'm starting to overthink as well maybe.
This is what I'm thinking.
Our whole theory might be wrong. I didn't watch it tonight but will this weekend.
I said before nothing in this movie is by accident.
Somebody mentioned religion. This might be the answer. I hate being wrong.
I'm used to it but I hate it.
When we get down to the religious aspect, I'm lost. All I got is that suicide is a sin, so why would Gleeson kill himself, after losing his faith for a day. Something like this would be hard to shake IMO.
And that's really all I have.
I'll rewatch it.
It could just be me overthinking. Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead.
If you call this ahead.
I'll let you know. Especially since you're the only one listening.
Gleeson said that he was done with God after what has happened.
The kid told him what do you expect he can't be everywhere. Slight smile.
Before he was going to shoot himself he put the picture of Jesus or
whoever it was face down. He was about shoot himself when he heard
David. He then killed David and dropped the gun before he was going to
shoot himself. David was the 6th thing to die. 6 Shooter.
It's like God stepped in and stopped Gleeson from killing himself only
to keep him alive to live with all this. Like a punishment for saying
he was done with God. I don't want to get into a whole religious debate
but It's possible this is the case. IMO.
I also picked up on something I missed the first time that made me laugh.
Gleeson asked for Pringles. Domhnall told him they didn't have any of
those kinds of "fancy" chips.
I've never heard Pringles described as fancy in my life.
I remember him saying he was done, but a lifetime of being religious doesn't go away in a day IMO. Maybe that's why he put down the picture of Jesus. Because he didn't want Jesus so watch him kill himself. I might be wrong on that one of course.
I can see your theory on why Gleeson was unable to shoot himself being true. Or close to it.
Pringles are totaly fancy chips! They come in a box! We have a kind that comes in a see through plactic bag, that has a piece of paper in it basically saying "Yup, potato chips". They don't even have a brand name. Just potato chips. So, yeah, Pringles are fancy.
You don't throw it away but maybe he was already questioning his
faith or was only in it for his wife.
People often act on impulse when they go through things like he did.
I think that' the very reason he put down the picture.
Still not buying Pringles as fancy. Just because they have a name
and don't come in a bag doesn't make them fancy.
Plus their not that good to begin with.
Maybe he was questioning it, but as you said, it's probably become like a reflex.
They might not seem like fancy to you, but for a train cart thing-y they do seem fancy. They're probably imported, more expensive, makes no sense to sell them on a train is probably what he meant by that.
If he had went up and down like he supposed to they
probably wouldn't have even had the conversation.
I don't want to come off as anti-Pringle but the only
reason they are in a container is because they wouldn't
survive being in a bag. I'm not even sure there is potato
anywhere in them.
I'm done now.
They still might have had the conversation. The need for, and availability of fancy chips would still be the same. But I already forgot that conversation, so I might be wrong.
I've never had a Pringle in my life, so I will trust in your assessment.
Pringles are thicker than chips from a bag.
shareAgain, Mina you are so right! Pringles are totally fancy crisps! I spent some time in Ireland in the 1980s and there was only Taytos at the shops!
shareThank you! I knew me and ratty faced Domhnall weren't the only ones :D.
BTW I had to say Taytos out loud to get the name. I love it! Oh, Irish folk, a people after my own heart.
Mina, I think you are so observant! You're exactly right. Maybe the kid shooting his mom's head off was part of an unfinished plan the kid had. Just like David and the Brendan Gleeson character! You're brilliant!
shareOh, thank you DrMack!
There has to be something there, it'd be too much of a coincidence otherwise.
I have to say, your pick was great! Good film, and some great discussion that came out of it. I'm glad you joined our little group :)
"Is she still alive ?'"
"No, she had no head left on her."
Brilliant !!!
The opening scene sets the up the whole movie. His wife dies. Then the Dr. tells him he's had 2 cot deaths
and a women who's head had been shot off by her son.
Gleason doesn't put 2 and 2 together when he finds out about the deaths on the train.
I'm yelling at Gleeson It's him , It's him.
The dialogue is incredible. Conroy is spot on. He drops a Fred and Rosemary West reference and Bronski Beat.-Genius
The kid's sociopath behavior is shown immediately. We know this but we can't help but like him.
Even after everything he did Gleeson still tries to protect him at the end when he gets shot.
There was something about him. He was still able to have people like him.
Domhnall was also great. Getting yelled at on screen by your dad must have seemed normal to him. :)
"Your general face was ratty". This is too funny.
Even at the end when Gleeson blows David's head off you knew it wasn't over.
The blood splatter on the wall right above his wife's picture was no accident.
Neither was the Kid wearing a fluorescent green shirt.
It is true a cow's stomach can expand like that. They are also notorious for releasing methane into the air.
I can't say for sure if you can poke it in the stomach and light it on fire like that.
I think it more of to show that after seeing a cow explode the kid said "It was the best day of my life"
Showing off his sociopath behaviors at a young age.
This was a great short. It also shows the beginnings of In Bruges and 7 Psychopaths.
Dmack well done. You hit a homer with this .
Also a shout out to Mina who actually watched an ATM selection before the last possible day. Good for you.
Wow, thanks Godewey! You're kind to be so positive!
I'm around Martin McDonagh's age so I feel like all his references are mine too. It's been a long time since I've heard Bronski Beat mentioned. I was an eighties teenager so English new wave music was big. Rosemary and Fred was a mystery to me. Thanks for filling us in on that one. I wonder if most Americans know about these serial killers. But what a cruel thing to say! That poor couple were so sad.
The dialogue is genius, isn't it? It is so very Irish. In my experience they have a tendency towards gallows humor and the main topic of conversation is always sickness and death. My parents are from Ireland and I swear every conversation began with some type of news of a someone's death. "Did you hear that Bridie from up the lane had a heart attack?" I wonder what was going on with the national psyche? It has changed.
What do you think the blood stain means above the wife's photo? Why are McDonagh's plays and movies so violent? There aren't a lot of gun deaths in Ireland. I just looked at a statistic that said there were 201 gun deaths from 2005-2015. That's a fraction of what we're used to. Influenced by American westerns? A shootout from the train?
The influence of the Catholic Church may have had something to do with the pessimistic psyche
shareYes, I can attest to this. We we're raised in a VERY Catholic household. There were pluses and minuses. Very superstitious.
shareWe have the "gallows humor" as well, and we're not Catholic. Maybe it contributes some, but it might be all that historical tragedy that makes a people turn terrible things into a joke, because it's easier to deal that way.
Maybe that's why I connected to the humour so much.
It's not me who's kind. The movie stands on it's own.
I think you and I are close to the same age. We also have very similar tastes. A lot of what resonates with
you is the same with me. I have a weird thing for serial killers so that is the only reason I know about
Rosemary and Fred.
It is very Irish and I seem to gravitate towards these kind of movies. I don't really know why. I just seem to "get it"
I think the blood stains were just to show what Gleeson had endured . Kind of like a reminder of "what a day"
he had. Of course with a little bit of dark humor involved. At first I thought it was the actress was Fiona Shaw.
I think his movies have a lot more to do with how he grew up compared to what is happening now.
He would have been born during The Troubles. He would have been a baby when it started but would
have to have seen or at least heard about this conflict within his family. I think this has a lot to do with his films
and his sense of humor. The train thing I'm not sure about. It's possible it could have been influenced
by American Westerns.
As far as us liking it. It's my theory that our generation was the first to grow up with cable TV.
Like it or not it shaped our perceptions on how we view violence and the world for that matter.
We could see things on TV that a few years earlier you had to go to the theater to watch.
Or you had to wait to see it on TV. Of course it would be edited by then.
We grew up watching these movies and becoming "numb" to violence. That of course has been passed on
and now days there isn't anything you can't watch online.
Oh, the Troubles. Yes, you're right. I remember us praying in school for Bobby Sands and the other hunger strikers. You're making me remember a lot. So sad. The poverty was terrible there too. Even though it was a Northern Ireland, I'm sure the news every night was about bombings and such. Excellent point. I guess you're right, GenX is doomed to pessimism. We are stuck between two very large generations. We'll never get our way.
Yes, we're the first generation of cable and VCRs. Entertainment on demand, but I never watched as much as I do today!
Hmm, now you're making me think. Since McDonagh grew up in England and he is Irish, he may have felt like he identified with the "villains".
I recently watched the movie '71 which brought back a lot of this for me.
If you haven't seen it is very good. It doesn't go deep into this issue but gives you a strong sense
of what was going on over there at this time.
We were the first generation but I wouldn't quite say on demand. For those days it was. Not like now.
In the early 80's I remember cable and HBO showing the same 10 movies all month. Before we had
a VCR we had to look at the guide (paper) and figure out when we could watch it. It often meant
staying up late or getting up early. The first VCR I bought when I was a kid was like $400. Saved for a year.
I could set 3 different programs to record. I thought I was a bad ass. It was a game changer.
Remember those days ? We've come along way.
Great point. I didn't know he grew up in England. It's very possible he grew up feeling a lot of guilt
concerning this. Which might further explain why his movies are they way they are.
It's also surprising to me that this movie came out in 2004 and he hasn't been give more chances
to do films. Are we in the minority when it comes to liking his movies ?
Well, I think he's more famous for being a playwright than a filmmaker. I know there was something written once like, " the first playwright to have three plays going in London since Shakespeare". Please look that up if you want actual quote! Among my older friends, especially the Irish ones, they really know him only in that way. My husband and I saw A Behanding in Spokane a few years back. We loved it. It had Christopher Walken, Anthony Mackey and Zoe Kazan in it. The theater was packed but I think it wasn't well received. I think he is pretty popular but not prolific enough to be famous as a filmmaker.
shareI had no idea he was a playwright. Considered one of the most living playwrights in London.
Actually had 4 plays going in London at the same time. Very impressive.
This now makes sense to me. I was wondering he hasn't done more and why it took so
long for him to direct. It seems his talent lies in the theater. Making movies is just a hobby.
Hey Dmack.
We started talking about Before the Rain if you're still interested.
Take care.
Thank you godewey!
We had some family drama last week so I'm playing catch up. I'll try to watch it this weekend. I have to finish 11:14 too! I feel like my entire young adulthood was filled with Bosnia/Croatia/Serbia. I can't wait to see it, especially since it was made in that time period 1994. Was it on YouTube?
I can relate to drama.
Hope everything is OK.
Sorry, that's like inviting you to a great party and not telling where it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZkLfDHSEeU
This a tough movie to track down with English subtitles.
I have the movie and Mina didn't need subtitles. The only one I could find
has two sets of subtitles. It's a little strange. I hope you're able to watch it.
If you can't It's totally understandable. It's a remarkable movie.
The movie has 3 stories. The second one is in English so that helps a little.
If you can't watch it like this please keep an eye open for it in the future.
I know TCM had it on last year. It's one of those movies that all movie
lovers should see. I really think you'll like it.
Yes, good for me!
I don't know who should be more offended at the Kid's comparason, your man of Bronski Beat, or the dead baby.
I aslo like your explanation on the cow bit.
I also like the irony in Gleeson shooting the rabbit and f*cking up off-ing himself. /that's irony, right? or is it 10 000 spoons, when all you need is a knife?/
"your man of Bronski Beat, or the dead baby"
This might be a toss up to be honest.
It's possible he just put it in there for affect but it seems that he made it a point to show the boys face.
Along with what he says I think it makes sense.
That really was the perfect ending. It couldn't have ended any other way.
This is true irony.
Having a bunch of spoons and needing a knife is not irony.
That's more laziness. Do your damn dishes and you'll have a knife. Problem solved.
"It's possible he just put it in there for affect but it seems that he made it a point to show the boys face. Along with what he says I think it makes sense."
I don't understand what you mean.
I don't see how else it could've ended either. I though when the Kid was killed, that's where it'd end, but it kept going. And it makes more sense that it did, since it was Gleeson who's story we were watching, right?
I'm glad that my and McDonagh's grasp on irony is better than Alanis Morissette's.
I was referring to the cow scene.
He might just have done it for a "shock" scene but I don't think so. He kept showing the
kids face and how he was smiling.
I have a feeling McDonagh's grasp on anything is better than Morissette's.
Oh, ok :)
I don't think it was put there just for shock either. At the very least it informed us to the Kids character, right? And if this was the best day in his life, you have to wonder what the rest of his life was like.
Was the dad still in the picture? I don't remember him mentioning him when he talked about his mom. A cow blowing up is cool and all, but it might have been the best day because he was with his dad, plus the cow blowing up. It might not be though lol.
I don' think he ever mentioned his dad. So who knows.
Maybe his dad had an "accident".
That's why I said I would have liked to see a prequel. To answer all these questions.
I'm still going with my original theory that the cow was to show the kid's character and
his beginnings of being a sociopath.
He shot the rabbit, and sort of tried to kill himself, but seemed to be unable to do the latter, if one gets the drift.
shareHe sounds like a very screwed up kid, and yet, he seemed quite interesting, and seemed to bring a certain amount of spirit to the film.
shareAgreed.
I think it would be interesting to see a prequel to this.
A full length movie centered around the kid and him growing up.
Maybe the other characters came in contact with him when he was smaller or something like that.
Possibly 3 separate stories that intertwine and this movie would be the ending.
It's been 15 years or so since this movie so it's a little late but it would have been interesting.
That might be an interesting possibility, because the movie's so very short. Thanks for the ideas.
shareSo far I'm enjoying it. It's interesting.
shareI watched it. First of all I am not a big short film fan in fact I can't think of another short film that I watched. I saw Six Shooter as sort of a modern day western with the train being the stagecoach and Conroy being Billy The Kid. I did laugh in places especially the Tony Curtis/Rod Steiger reference and the Marvin Gaye reference. I still don't understand the Bronski Beat reference - I think it has something to do with homosexuality. Gleeson plays the brooding guy to perfection but Conroy steals the show as a motor mouth psycho.
Loved the last scene with Gleeson and the rabbit - it did make me laugh. Overall, a decent whimsical dark comedy.
Frankly, I thought the scene with Gleeson and the rabbit was rather gruesome, but to each their own.
shareI agree, mplo. I hate any kind of animal cruelty in a movie. Most of my family is in Ireland and they're all farmers. It's a totally different world in regards to animals there. I think they treat their livestock much better than we do in the US. The cattle and sheep are kept in pastures and they're only in the shed when the weather is bad, not like here with those giant factory farms. But.... I find it shocking how they treat dogs and other pets like that. Pets are never allowed in the house and they're genuinely working animals. So I think it's hard to imagine a person shooting their wife's beloved rabbit but maybe it's cultural? Also, in service to the story, like Mira said above, it does finish the story arc to kill an innocent being.
shareThanks for the interesting information, Drmccormack. The United States, as a whole, doesn't treat its livestock very humanely, but Temple Grandin has designed equipment that makes it possible for livestock to be subject to more humane conditions.
Treating dogs and other pets cruelly by not letting them indoors, especially in the cold weather, is extremely cruel.
Interesting take comparing it to a western. It does make sense in many ways.
His references were outstanding. The Bronski Beat reference did have to do with being gay.
They were new wave band from the 80's who were openly gay. A lot of their songs had to do with gay issues.
McDonagh would have been a teenager when this band was popular so this makes sense.
The last scene really was good.
I found myself laughing quite a bit in 27 minutes.
I have not seen this one. I'm out of town so I won't be able to check it out for a while.
:-)
"I Am the FBI."