In Bruges

In Bruges is a deliciously black comedy that is reminiscent of Pulp Fiction and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but has it's own unique charm, values and quirky dialogue to set it apart from other dark comedic crime pieces. It start Colin Farrell as a hitman who botched his first hit by accidentally killing a kid and he has now been sent away to the city of Bruges for a sort of twisted vacation. His partner in crime is played by Brendan Gleeson who is an experienced and educated gangster. He is much older and more weary of the world, but he is also a caring and fascinating individual. To put it simply these are two of the best performances that either one of these men have ever given. Gleeson is a great veteran character actor who only gets better with age and you may remember him from 28 Days Later, Braveheart, and the Harry Potter films to name only a few. Farrell is an actor I have never really been fond of but I have given him credit on a couple different occasions when I felt he deserved it most notably for his breakout film Tigerland and his one man showcase Phone Booth. Here Farrell is more relaxed than he has ever been in a role and he is charming and funny, but also surprisingly emotional. He brings great depth to a haunted and suicidal character.

The writing is what makes In Bruges quite special. It does not follow any specific formula and seldom if ever goes down a path that could have been predicted. It's dialogue is sharp, vulgar, but also quite comic. It is easily a script that could have taken itself very seriously, but in the hands of such great actors it springs to life vividly on the screen. In Bruges is at once a comedy, a crime story, a character study, and a piece on moral ambiguities. There is no real villain here and each of the people in the film have morals and principals. Even the supporting players are thief's, drug dealers, or in one case a drug addicted midget. But you come to care for these people because of how human they all really seem. The film was written and directed by famous playwright Martin McDonagh who is considered to be on the leading theater writers today. He has written such plays as The Pillowman and Lieutenant of an Inishmore. He has already won an Academy Award for his short film Six Shooter and this is his debut feature film. And it is quite a debut. McDonagh claims that most of his major influences come from film instead of the stage and they include Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch and Terrence Malick. You can see pieces of each these men in the film, but McDonagh manages to have his own unique voice and style. He really knows how to tell and intriguing story. In Bruges's script is honestly one of the funniest and most original put on the screen in quite a long time.

And Last but not least props must be given to Ralph Fiennes, for his brief but completely memorable role as Harry the employer that shows up to off Farrell. He gives a ferocious performance and the way he uses vulgarity is altogether unique and inspired. He has some of the funniest scenes and lines in the movie although much of them are filled with violent carnage. His character alone could have its own spin-off film. In Bruges is one of the best films of the year so far and I will surly remember it come years end as there is guaranteed to not be a film even close to the originality of this one.