CINEMA SIX may not quite maintain the highest level consistently throughout its running time, but at its best the film possesses some excellently profane laughs, with a rhythm and weary insight that makes it more than just a simple curse-laden effort.

The film follows a group of employees at a branch of Stanton Family Cinemas. Managers Mason (John Merriman) and Dennis (Brand Ranckley) deal wearily with rude and abrasive customers, whilst dealing with their own personal problems stemming from being caught in maturity limbo. Meanwhile, the projectionist Gabe (Mark Potts, also writing/directing with Cole Selix) appears caught in a similar vortex whilst being bewildered by women.

The rat-a-tat sparring between the characters is often laugh-out-loud funny, with more than a few lines that would be gracing pub gatherings if this was a wide multiplex release.

On the surface, it’s so far so CLERKS – an obvious touchstone. However, CINEMA SIX isn’t just a rehashing of the Kevin Smith classic. The rat-a-tat sparring between the characters is often laugh-out-loud funny, with more than a few lines that would be gracing pub gatherings if this was a wide multiplex release. Unlike so many films focusing on immature male characters, there is a surprising amount of character growth for our lead trio come the end of the film. Although funny, Potts and Selix’s script isn’t afraid to flesh out our characters a bit. Gabe is due to go to film school if only he can be bothered and Mason is trying to maintain a healthy relationship with his wife and baby.

…it’s refreshing to come across a film that tries to capture the humour that any individual can bring to situations, just to lift crushing ennui.

At its core, however, CINEMA SIX is a comedy. With so much dross on our screens in this space, it’s refreshing to come across a film that tries to capture the humour that any individual can bring to situations, just to lift crushing ennui. By and large, the laughs aren’t forced – they come out of sharp dialogue. The characters of CINEMA SIX are not extraordinary individuals, simply weary wielders of wit.

CINEMA SIX doesn’t quite maintain this all the way through, with some jokes feeling more like gross-out profanity afterthoughts, but this is more indicative of the high bar it has set itself. It would be a lie to say this is anything groundbreaking, but what we have here is a low-key personal comedy, which is very funny and well worth watching for the numerous moments of laughter. The direction of Potts and Selix (as well as their key performers) also shows a great understanding of comic timing. CINEMA SIX is capable of achieving, and deserves, a wider audience.

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