Six Shooter (2004)

It takes a certain something to make a film about death and grieving delightfully irreverent. Director Martin McDonagh pulls it off with the greatest of ease in Six Shooter. Everything comes together in this Irish short film. The script is tight and amusing in all the right politically incorrect places; the actors are all completely believable; and the cinematography makes the most of the tight filming locations.

A man named Donnelly arrives at the hospital in the morning to learn that his wife passed away during the night. Devastated and in shock, Donnelly heads for home to cope with his shattered world. He boards a train for what will be a life-changing experience. He sits down next to a funny-looking young man with a foul mouth. Spotting a sad couple a few seats up, the young man proceeds to hound them on why they are so sad. Tempers flare everyone tries to ignore each other.

When the young man learns that the couple lost their child suddenly the night before he fakes remorse and mocks the grieving mother, suggesting that she killed her baby because it was ugly. The young fellow also shares his profanity-laced thoughts with Donnelly and relays an amusing story about an exploding cow. The young man makes everyone around him uncomfortable and even reveals that he lost his own mother recently. Shock, sadness and nonchalance are just three of the ways people can deal with death. The intersection of all three is a sight to be seen.

The train ride culminates in an explosive and shocking ending and Donnelly goes home with decisions to make. If you can’t handle vulgarity, stay away from this short film. The same goes for anyone who can’t appreciate a wry sense of humor or political incorrectness. If you can handle it, you’ll have yourself a good time with Six Shooter.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5