In Bruges'
Runtime: 107min 9secsTagline: Shoot now. Sightsee Later.
Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Plot Outline:
Bruges, the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travelers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), it could be their final destination.
A difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered by their London boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks. Very much out of place amidst the gothic architecture, canals, and cobbled streets, the two hit men fill their days living the lives of tourists.
Ray, still haunted by the bloodshed in London, hates the place, while Ken, even as he keeps a fatherly eye on Ray, finds his mind and soul being expanded by the beauty and serenity of the city.
As they stay waiting for Harry's call they find themselves in weird encounters with locals, tourists, violent medieval art, a dwarf American actor shooting a European art film, Dutch prostitutes, and a potential romance for Ray in the form of Chloë, who may have some dark secrets of her own.
It seems the longer they wait, the more surreal their experience becomes, and when the call from Harry does finally come, Ken and Ray's vacation becomes a life-and-death struggle of darkly comic proportions.
Overall Impressions:
Quite like Ray, I had no idea where the hell Bruges was, it's in Belgium. I'm sure the authorities and tourism groups out there will be booming after this film, but this isn't it's only strength. In fact it's only a tip of an iceberg.
I'll keep this one short: It's an extremely funny and surreal film. Its absolutely the must see film currently showing at cinemas! So many funny moments you'll take away, you'll lose count. It certainly deserves to be noticed. Original, well written structurally and doused in catchy humorous dialogue, well acted, an all round thumbs up flick. I'm certain it'll definitely show up in many of the Top 10 lists when they come about at the end of year.
The only disclaimer warning that I feel I should put out there, is that the film contains a lot of unnecessary profanities, drugs and less shooting than you might expect from a film about hitmen.
It's without a shred of doubt one of the best films I've seen in ages. Naturally this means, of the films currently showing it holds up as the must-see film. Hands down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Wasn't quite sure to expect but not only was it bitingly funny, it also managed to be badass and brutal as hell. Still one of the better films I've seen so far this year.
I concur :)