In Bruges

****
UK Release Date: April 18th 2008

Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.

Director: Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths)

Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

In Bruges is ironically funny. Very, very funny, for those with a sick sense of humour. It's highly entertaining in places where it shouldn't be. Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson), who are hitmen, are sent to Bruges after a job went terribly wrong. Here they must lay low until further instructions from their boss, Harry (Fiennes). 

On paper this sounds dull, but thankfully a simple story with a powerful script brings the characters to life. To explain more about the story would ruin it completely, so the less you know, the better it will be. This is easily one of Farrell's best performances, as if he was born to be a (bit of a) jerk, just like his character (sometimes) is. He thinks 'Bruges is a shithole', which is far from the case, as Director Martin McDonagh has the city look dazzling and enthralling at all times. Bruges is like its own character. From the opening credits, we are whisked off on a visual tour accompanied by Gleeson's passion for the city, and Farrell's moaning and moping. The characters are engaging because of their differences. Seeing Farrell judo chop a dwarf or punch a Canadian in the face and shout 'That's for John Lennon, you Yankee fuckin' cunt!' is a lot funnier than it should be. Fiennes comes in a little too late, but manages to adds flare and depth to this, crazy, fucked-up film. 

4/5