Brilliant and different.

Rating: 7/10 (1 May 2008)

Over a blank screen an Irish accent starts a monologue that ends with a brilliant opening joke and I realise that I'm going to like this film. Like a violent and very adult episode of 'Father Ted' the two main characters Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) are hit men relocated to the sleepy Belgium town of Bruges after a job in England goes wrong. The pair are constantly at odds and like any great comedy duo play off each other amazingly well, the dialogue is fast and funny and the only let up is to make way for action or at times poignancy. The films charm lies in the fact that you can never quite tell what it wants to be, just when you think it's a sharp script based comedy like 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' it changes direction to become a tense thriller via moments that wouldn't seem out of place in a Farley brothers gross out movie. As well as an impressive use of swearing and some totally un-pc insults there are effects that would make even the strongest stomached patron wince a little, but as part of the whole package including a great little part from Fiennes as big boss Harry, this is one of the most enjoyable cinema going experiences I've had all year. A hidden gem with all the elements that other films lack, humour, excitement, a storyline, and characterisation. It is also blessed with an overwhelming sense of not being afraid to play out for an adult audience, brilliant.