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Movie Review: In Bruges
Farrell shines in surprising ‘In Bruges’
By Patrick Rills
Special to 2theadvocate.com
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Most people probably couldn’t find Belgium on a map, much less tell you one interesting anecdote about the country. However, director/writer Martin McDonagh has managed to craft an engrossing and wickedly funny film using Bruges, one of Belgium’s most storied cities, as its backdrop.
“In Bruges” is a surprisingly engaging comedy about Ray (Collin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), two quaint Irish hit men hiding out in the equally quaint town of Bruges after botching their last job. The improvised vacation comes to the chagrin of Ray, who constantly refers to Bruges in a way I can’t repeat here, and the delight of Ken, who is a connoisseur of European history.
The unlikely pair seems more like a whiney teenager and his overbearing father than two cold-blooded killers. They try to lay low amid their clashing personalities, managing to find time for sightseeing, pub crawling, and philosophical discussions on life and death in between their bickering. Their trip is cut short when their merciless boss, Harry (Ralph Fiennes), forces them into a difficult decision that will change their lives forever.
McDonagh’s clever script overflows with quick-witted dialogue and dry humor that give the film an appealing European charm. The script is infused with an almost perfect balance of action and drama that make for few dull moments. When combined with Farrell’s and Gleeson’s hilarious performances, “In Burges” becomes a unique experience best described as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” meets “The Odd Couple.”
Colin Farrell’s aptitude for comedy is a pleasant and welcomed surprise. His portrayal of the quirky and spoiled hit man makes his overly agitated character the star of the film. Farrell is able to use his natural Irish accent which allows him to be more confident and comfortable in his performance. Although he struggles with the more serious and sentimental scenes (sometimes making them unintentionally funny), those are limited in number and overall his performance is still strong.
“In Bruges” is character-driven and presents them mainly with tight, cramped shots focusing on the characters’ faces. This makes it a captivating story told through a series of facial expressions. In fact, even the town of Bruges is almost as much of a character in the film as Ray and Ken. McDonagh uses a great number of wobbly handheld shots that follow the characters and make the streets come to life. The town is painted on screen using subdued colors and washed out whites to accent its quiet, but alluring ambience.
“In Burges” may seem light-hearted, but it quickly turns tense in the third act. Even though there is some violence, the movie is not focused on the killing, but rather the relationship formed around the killing. It sheds the skin of a typical “shoot ‘em up” hit man story and instead becomes a dark comedy about redemption, honor and loyalty.
