Extremely funny and refreshing black comedy

Rating: Null/10 (25 December 2009)

A Christmas story. Should one who killed a child be allowed to live? Harry Waters, a London thug, sends Irish hit men Ken and Ray to Bruges to lie low after a job goes awry in a London church. Ken's the old hand, fascinated by the Medieval, with a fatherly attitude toward Ray, who's young and bored but chastened after the London job. Ray's disposition changes when he meets Chloë, a hip young woman who sells drugs on the local set of a movie featuring Jimmy, an American dwarf. Harry calls with irrevocable instructions. Ken balks, setting up a showdown in the town square. A pregnant innkeeper, dumdum bullets, and a code of conduct play into the resolution...Playwright McDonaugh's debut feature In Bruges can be described as a dramatic and violent black comedy and I have to admit, the last time I laughed this much was when I saw Role Models(2008). In Bruges has to be one of the funniest films of the last years. I didn't laugh until I cried but I did laugh constantly which means the film is very consistent and never looses direction. I've seen some discussion in regards to the humor being either typically British or Irish but honestly, I couldn't care less, it works and that's what matters. Colin Farell plays the role of the young hit-man Ray while Brendan Gleeson is the optimistic and mature Ken. This comedic duo seems an odd match but it works marvelously. Colin Farrel is exceptional as Ray, showing a different side as an actor, he reaches comic heights that I never thought it could. Gleeson was satisfying but definitely out-shined by Farell. And there's Ralph Fiennes who plays the creepy but hilarious Harry, an English thug. The screenplay is full of irony and wit and the beautiful city of Bruges(Belgium) serves as a background for all the crazy action. In Bruges is definitely worth seeing.
7.5/10