During the run of a particularly awful interpretation of Richard III, the star, Anthony O'Malley, begins to frequent a rough pub to develop his character. He meets Barreller who he discovers owes someone he's never met a considerable sum of money. Seeing an opportunity to make some fast money, O'Malley convinces hapless extra, Tom, to meet Barreller as the debt collector.
Acting
Caine's theatrical meltdown meets Moran's permanent anxiety attack.
Writing
McPherson's dialogue crackles like a pub fireplace.
Direction
McPherson finds poetry in Dublin's grimiest corners.
Director
Conor McPherson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Dylan Moran was cast straight from Black Books without an audition—McPherson wrote Tom specifically for his signature twitchy energy.
The film bombed because distributors marketed it as a Caine crime thriller rather than the shambolic character comedy it actually is; Gambon's Barreller was reportedly improvised heavily after he kept forgetting lines.
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