Once your in Bruges you'll never want to leave.

Rating: 10/10 (7 October 2012)

Centered in the small and unappealing town of Bruges in Belgium, this very British based production achieves Hollywood perfection. Redefining the ability to cross cut two differing genres, In Bruges is a comical yet tense work that stands superior to any past production piece regardless of its genre, in which a deep feeling of envy should be felt.
Employing a narrative that does not stretch any further than being simple yet engaging, it is a story that features both deep sorrow and realistic humour. As two hit men Ray and Ken exile to Bruges after a hit goes terribly wrong, it focuses on the morals and trauma surrounding the pairs past killings as they engage with the historical beauty of Bruges and the alternate lifestyle it offers. The director Martin McDonagh is vigilante not to glorify the pairs criminal career in any way, which is essential to the realistic factor the film employs, as there is a deep focus on the aftermath and trauma of both their failures and lack of mercy for their victims. The plot from early on is fairly engaging, but it is the truly unsuspecting plot twist that engages the viewer further into the the tension that begins to climatically build from that point. Regardless of the change of attitudes and tipping balance of genre focus that switches between comedy to drama at various points, the comical and emotion provoking actions that the characters commit provide a narrative that is not only unique but surprisingly enjoyable.
With a strong focus on a shrewd use of comedy throughout, "In Bruges" provides the viewers with an extensive collection of memorable scenes due to the many comical moments and factors that account for the films comedy based success. Being dominated by a fairly broad range of foul mouthed arguments often ending in violence, the more significant comedy factor is present within the difference in ideology and interests between Ray and Ken. With the pairs similarities stretching no further than their corrupt career path, the pair often resemble the powerless father and brat like child relationship in the early aspects of the plot. Yet it is the lack of belonging the pair experience in the somewhat unideal town of Bruges that provide the most credible element of amusement throughout, as two Irish hit men in a small Belgium town is unsurprisingly unideal, as their actions from early on indicate.
Incorporating a fairly small yet diverse range of characters, the casting follows other aspects of the films success in being impeccable. With Colin Farrell heading the cast as the guilt stricken hit-man Ray, his performance of a far from stable individual with a lack of enthusiasm for his partners historical interests or Bruges itself is of the highest caliber. Farrell's revival of his often disregarded Irish accent is highly approved of, as it certainly emphasizes the comedy within his dialogue and is obviously an essential factor for the characters portrayal. Brendan Gleeson shares not only the strong Irish accent employed by Farrell, but equals the high standard of his performance. Gleeson's portrayal of the culture loving hit-man Ken tends to be so genuine that his characters career choice tends to seem hard to believe, which is far from a criticism considering his characters purpose is to blend in with the law abiding citizens of Bruges. Ralph Fiennes on the other hand is a far more clouded character for the most part as Ken and Ray's boss Harry. Displaying the ruthlessness not present within the exiled pair of hit men, Fiennes' performances as yet another villain is just as flawless in comparison to his contributions in past productions and his casting colleagues in this one.
Where as the visual factors of "In Bruges" are immaculate, its relevant soundtrack deserves the same credit. With a primarily piano based soundtrack it is not only suitable for the location of the film, but also adds to the sense of foreboding which ensures the comical factor disappears in the more serious sequences of the films narrative. Without this imperial soundtrack the impressive balance between drama and comedy would certainly be lost.
Undoubtedly "In Bruges" is one of the most unsuspecting film successes of the 21st century. With a narrative that is easy to follow and thus more engaging, a likable cast of characters and flawless performances by the cast themselves, "In Bruges" genuinely is a must see film and shouldn't be overshadowed by its lack of popularity on the big screen.