In Bruges is a film that brings back memories of Snatch, Pulp Fiction and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as it cleverly mixes great dialogue, comedy and violence into a wild ride as a couple of hit men find themselves out of their element, walking the streets of Bruges, Belgium after a botched job and waiting instructions.
When I reference the three films above the one thing those films don’t have that In Bruges slyly interjects into its story is a level of emotion. Colin Farrell, playing rookie hit man Ray, out on his first hit makes a fatal mistake that is sure to stay with him for the rest of his life, and his only means of condolence is his partner Ken played by Brendan Gleeson. When word of the mishap reaches the ear of their boss Harry played by Ralph Fiennes they are ordered to hole up in Bruges, a place loved by Harry but instantly hated by Ray. Therein lays the problem and the entertainment for the duration.
I would love to sit back and recite line after line from this picture, which is easily Colin Farrell’s best performance ever, hands down, it is absolutely fantastic. His delivery of his lines are spot on and is sure to be one of my favorites of 2008 and In Bruges is likely to be in my top ten of the year.
I warn you though, whatever you do, do not watch the trailer or any clips! Go into this movie 100% fresh and you are going to have a ton of fun. Here, let me give you the best line from the trailer as delivered by Colin Farrell, “If I grew up on a farm and was retarded Bruges might impress me, but i didn’t, so, it doesn’t.”
No go see the movie. You will love it.