In Bruges Review

 Number 352 on the top 1000 films of all time is Martin Mcdonagh's black comedy thriller 'In Bruges.'

When a hit goes awry, Irish hitmen, Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) are ordered to lay low and await further orders from their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes.)

Do you think that sounds like a strange premise for a film? You would be right. In Bruges was strange and surreal, but it worked. Everything came together to create a film with off-beat humour and real heart.

And this heart is manifested in Ray portrayed brilliantly by Colin Farrell. On Ray's very first hit, he is sent to kill a priest but accidentally shoots a little boy. Having broken a cardinal rule, he is sent to Bruges where is harrowed by his demons. He constantly hallucinates the little boy and is consumed by his guilt. Farrell brought a real vulnerability to the role and left me feeling very sorry for a hit man - a person who by definition isn't very nice.

Ray is little more than a big kid, completely disinterested in the culture that Bruges has to offer - he is much more interested in drinking and snorting cocaine with a dwarf who advocates a race war. And yes you did read that correctly. But questionable racial politics aside, Ray's youth and immaturity is what makes him so endearing. Yes, he made a fatal mistake, but does he not deserve a second chance?

Enter Brendan Gleeson who as Ken serves as the moral compass of the film. It is revealed that Harry has sent them both to Bruges so that Ken can kill Ray for breaking the rules. After much deliberation, Ken decides to do so, only to change his mind at the last minute when he sees Ray is suicidal. Instead he helps his friend escape. In the inevitable final showdown with Harry, Ken sacrifices himself to save Ray.

Gleeson and Farrell played off each other well with their characters being polar opposites. Ken is patient and wise, but Ray is the young upstart. Ken loves the history of Bruges. Ray does not, but despite their differences the two men share a camaraderie that drives the film forward.

Finally, we come to Ralph Fiennes who plays the comically villainous Harry. Regardless of whether Fiennes is playing a Nazi, an evil wizard or a delusional serial killer, he always blends into his roles. This was role was no exception. Harry is a ruthless crime boss who would sooner blow his own brains out rather than betray his principles. Yet Fiennes also brought a lot of humour to the role. In one of the film's funnier moments, he rants to Ken about his disbelief at Ray not appreciating the culture that Bruges has to offer.

All in all, this was a highly enjoyable film. Darkly funny, but with a lot of heart. If you're looking for something unique, In Bruges is the film for you.