The Crush is an Irish live action short film. The film's runtime is approximately 15 minutes.

It was written and directed by first-timer Michael Creagh, and produced by Damon Quinn.

Directed by Michael Creagh
Produced by Damon Quinn
Written by Michael Creagh
Starring Olga Wehrly
Rory Keenan
Charlie Bonner
Neili Conroy
Cinematography Jim Creagh
Editing by Ciara Brophy
Release date(s) 22 April 2010 (Tribeca)
Running time 15 minutes
Country Ireland
Language English

The film was shot during Easter 2009 in Skerries, north Dublin.Creagh cast his eight-year-old son Oran in the lead role of the story.

The story sees an eight-year-old schoolboy (played by Oran Creagh) fall in love with his teacher, Miss Purdy.

He demonstrates his affections by giving her a toy ring. While shopping with his mother Ardal sees Ms. Purdy who happily explains that she has just been proposed to by her boyfriend Pierce and is engaged to be married.

Pierce appears to be a jerk. He refuses to take Ms. Purdy for lunch to celebrate the hour old engagement, instead insisting on going home to watch football. Ardal sees his dad put a gun carefully in the closet; he stares into the closet contemplating his options.

Ardal confronts Pierce while he is impatiently waiting for Ms.Purdy outside of the school. Ardal challenges Pierce to a duel to the death, which Pierce mockingly accepts.

The next day Ardal meets Pierce in the school yard, Pierce forgets his gun on purpose and Ardal pulls a gun on him. Pierce at first believes it is a toy, but Ardal insists it is not.

Ms. Purdy attempts to intervene but Ardal refuses to back down. Pierce, reduced to a crying mess lies about that he never loved Ms. Purdy but only proposed to her to “shut her up.”

Ardal shoots Pierce and he falls to the ground. It is revealed that the gun was a toy after all that Ardal’s father was saving in the closet until his birthday.

Ms. Purdy angrily calls off the engagement and breaks up with Pierce. She walks Ardal home agreeing to “keep this between ourselves.”

Ardal then tells Ms. Purdy that he doesn't deserve to marry her as well because he is "financially unstable and can't cater to all your (her) needs" and that a woman like his teacher should get everything she wants.

They then continue to walk hand in hand.

Directed by Michael Creagh
Produced by Damon Quinn
Written by Michael Creagh
Starring Olga Wehrly
Rory Keenan
Charlie Bonner
Neili Conroy
Cinematography Jim Creagh
Editing by Ciara Brophy
Release date(s) 22 April 2010
Running time 15 minutes
Country Ireland
Language English