Directed by novice Martin McDonagh who is better known for stage work and short film efforts, this slow starter soon matures into a dark, funny and violent little number, and is definitely one to watch.
This is a story of two Irish hit men, Ken played by Brendon Gleeson (Mad Eye Moody from Harry Potter anyone?) and Ray, portrayed by Colin Farrell, who have been sent to Bruges to await instructions by their owner Harry (Ralph Fiennes) after the previously ordered hit goes bad. The reason for the ‘bad hit’ is played out in flashback, and results in Ray having a troubled time, wavering between guilt and insults, weeping and striking out at those around him. I have never been a fan of Colin Farrell, but this was a performance that gives him credibility in my eyes, and lends the film itself a foil for Brendon Gleesons culture sensitive and world-weary Ken.
The dialogue is razor sharp, the plot is believable, even when the characters are made larger than life, and when romance is introduced, which I was sceptical of at first but Clemence Poesy as Chloe pulls it off with charm and verve. There are a few strands running through the film, including a midget, for whom Ray appears to have a fixation, a wannabe hard man Canadian, and of course the beautiful setting of Bruges. The performances are very good indeed, even though Farrells work is high quality, Fiennes foul mouthed ‘Harry’ almost steals the show with his trigger temper and barrage of expletives. The entertainment takes a dark turn at the end, and the comedy gives way to violence with an extended showdown between two of the protagonists, and the subsequent action ties up the theme and all of the loose ends nicely.
8.5/10, Fantastically quotable, pot boiler that has enough one-liners and facial expressions to keep you on your toes as the characters are fleshed out. This is a subtle blend of charm, wit, banter and questions about redemption, minced together with a dash of violence, all peppered with expletives. If you liked Guy Ritchies ‘Lock, Stock..’, ‘Snatch’, or indeed Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’, you will love this.