This is the latest review of my all-time favorite films.
In Bruges (2008) | DVD Blu-ray Instant Video
In Bruges is a dark comedy about two hitmen who are forced to take a vacation in Bruges after a hit goes wrong. The film, written and directed by Martin McDonagh as the playwrights feature film debut, masterfully combines its humor with a morality tale. It is not necessarily about what is right or wrong, but living with a personal code and sticking to it.
Ray (Colin Ferrell), the younger of the two hitmen, is responsible for the bungled assassination that sends these men to Bruges. Before he arrives, he already decided the city is “a shithole” and prefers to be back in the UK. Ken (Brendan Gleeson) recruited Ray for the original assignment. Now stuck in the Belgian city with his protégé, Ken tries to make the most of the situation by taking in sights and enjoying the history of “the most well preserved medieval town in the whole of Belgium.”
Early on, the humor is set by the juxtaposition of Ray and Ken’s reaction to Bruges. As more characters enter, the humor turns farcical. Ray stumbles across a movie filming, where he meets Chloe (Clémency Poésy), a production assistant and drug dealer, and Jimmy (Jordan Prentice), an American dwarf actor. Decent quantities of drugs and alcohol are consumed, a robbery gets botched, and a handful of Americans – or presumed Americans – are insulted.
Ken reminds Ray that they may not be on vacation, but their boss, Harry Waters (Ralph Fiennes), may have sent them to Bruges for other purposes. There may another hit to perform. As the plot continually evolves with unanticipated twists, Harry ends up in Bruges, wrapped into a series of unexpected events with his hired guns.
Ferrell and Gleeson have the ability to show strength and vulnerability. These are hitmen that you pity but would never cross. The actors marvelously balance the toughness, emotions, and funniness of the characters in the absurd but believable story.
McDonagh creating a film that deals with the ethics of fallible people. These characters are aware of their sins and ultimately face consequences for their actions. With a plot that is unpredictable but completely logical, In Bruges is a hilarious dark comedy that presents much more than a witty tale. It strikes an effective note as the principles these characters’ lives intertwine to the story’s inevitable culmination.
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