In Bruges
In many ways seeming like an offshoot of a Guy Ritchie film only it actually contains a heart and soul, this 2008 release from first time director Martin McDonagh is certainly original in many ways, not the least being its setting: Bruges, Belgium, showcased heavily throughout even though one of the main characters refers to it constantly as a āshitholeā. The film stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen ordered to stay there and lay low after a job goes wrong in London. Naturally Gleeson prefers to tour around and see the sights while Farrell becomes increasingly restless until he stumbles upon the set of a movie being made in the city which primarily features a dwarf in a dream sequence and Farrell falls hard for the irresistibly cute girl working there as the on set drug dealer. And thus the odd story continues, coupled with Farrell giving one of the best turns of his career whether it be romancing the girl, telling midget jokes with a wry sense of humor (particularly in referencing all the famous midget actors who have committed suicide), or displaying his anguish at the circumstances of the contract killing he was in hiding for where a little boy was accidentally killed. In short, Farrell finds his groove with a role he was actually born to play, and Gleeson complements him very well as the more laid back member of the duo, reconciling the life he has chosen for himself by displaying an unusually high interest in both history and religious faith. In other roles, Clemence Posey as the romantic interest ala movie set drug dealer brings a lovable yet risky feel to her, as she might not be the best (or safest) girl to associate with, but when youāre a hitman, what do you care?; Jordan Prentice as the movie star dwarf whom the main characters eventually party with (and who turns out to be quite racist) is funny and bizarre at the same time (even as his very presence is meant to evoke the 70s film Donāt Look Now, which is directly referenced in the dialogue as well); and Thekla Reuten is a lovely yet strong presence as the owner of the hotel that the two hitmen stay at; plus in what is almost a bonus role we have Ralph Fiennes turning up at the two thirds mark as the very pissed off crime boss with an iron clad set of principles which sets up the entire third act of the film. Speaking of that third act, there is likely to be a debate among some viewers, as it actually sinks the movie a bit with its tonal shift from black comedy into dark revenge mode, with the final denouement coming off as almost rendering the previous 90 minutes rather pointless. Nonetheless, when it is going as it is for the most part, the story and dialogue are spot on wickedly funny, engaging, and even at times politically incorrect. It certainly is a must see for any fans of Farrell, as well as the Ritchie / Tarantino style of crime movie, not to mention anyone who plans on taking a vacation in Europe and is interested in one of the more exquisite cities in the regionā¦
8/10