Fine, subtle comedy

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2008)

I love Focus Features. They have really become a trademark for fine little quality movies. "In Bruges" is yet another one of those. I wouldn't have expected too much from a Colin Ferrell movie, but Ferrell is as great as the movie itself.
"No movie classic has ever been made in Bruges", a character explains at one point and that can be seen as a bit of a cocky announcement that "In Bruges" was going to be the first movie to change that. While writer/director Martin McDonagh didn't deliver a full on classic, "In Bruges" is bound to become connected to that beautiful fairy tale-town for quite a while.
While cast, script, direction and score are all very pleasing, it's the ending where McDonagh takes some wrong turns. Suddenly the plot becomes implausible, characters motivations are unbelievable and mindless chase sequences take over. It's not enough to ruin the movie, but it keeps "In Bruges" from becoming a genuine masterpiece. Having said that, McDonagh's film is still this year's first really memorable and original sleeper. Way to go, Focus Features!