Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

Director: Martin McDonagh

Screenplay: Martin McDonagh

Running time: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Comedy/Thriller



CRITIQUE:


“Where is Bruges?” That place, my friend, is now clearly in the cinematic map – thanks to this terrific, “fooking” film In Bruges. This British gangster caper set in the titular medieval town in Belgium is not only one of the most beautifully shot films of the year 2008, but also one of the most enjoyable. The comedy is black as pit, the performances are impressive and the sceneries are fabulous, thanks to first-time director Martin McDonaugh for eschewing familiar urban-thug movie truisms and chucks guns at a bunch of hitmen and become holidaymakers in a foreign land. However that opinion is probably limited to this commentator, for its filthy, foul-mouthed dialogues and unwelcoming subject matter would surely not appear to all, as it might not be everybody’s idea of fun, running around on a shooting spree, blowing heads and splashing blood in a gorgeous European vacation spot.


That is not the point of the film, though. It veers between comedy and seriousness, between noir and crime thriller, and it is very funny down British humour lane. If you don’t ‘get’ Brit humour and doesn’t know how not to take yourself seriously, avoid this. And at some moments, it is subtle and sometimes mysterious, putting a light touch on morality. Two hitmen Ray and Ken (incredible performances by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, respectively) are dispatched to Bruges after a mission-gone-berserk in London. But they’re not exactly on a holiday, there are plot twists and turns here. This is perhaps what we would like to see in what most gangster films seem to miss, the basic human lives of these killers. Beneath the racist gags, involving a midget, pranks on prostitutes, drugs and sex – there’s actually a surprisingly gentle core in its characters. Farrell is apparently in his comfort zone, a whimsical, delightful performance that his former roles have seem to overlook. His comedic timing is spot on, and he interpolates genuineness behind those puppy-looking frowns. Gleeson serves as his perfect foil here, channelling Farrell’s lightness, in a temperamental yet patriarchal personality. Ralph Fiennes also stars as Harry, the profane, megalomaniacal villain, a London underworld boss who sputters “fucking” as every adjective to his sentences and then surprises you with his ethical code at the film’s ending. Along with Hunger, Happy-Go-Lucky and Slumdog Millionaire, In Bruges gives vitality to the British films in the bygone year.


VERDICT:

Fresh, funny and feverishly black, In Bruges satisfies the cinematic appetite for a good film. Once you get through the impenetrable plot, you’ll find that this might be one of the most absurdly pleasing films of 2008, with mesmeric performances by a trio of Brits, Farrell, Gleeson and Fiennes.



RATING: A-