It's truly a cinematic outrage when a film like IN BRUGES doesn't get the respect it rightfully deserves... in America. By far, this might be one of the best films I've seen this year! While one might think by watching the trailer that this film is just some dramatic comedy with hitmen, void of any real story or depth. Well, that couldn't be any further from the truth. The charm of this movie comes from the acting and their perfect comedic timing of delivering such funny and witty dialogue from such a smart script that melds comedy, romance and tragedy all in one, in which the directing brings this film full circle making this one entertaining experience.

I will say I'm not a COLIN FARRELL fan, but after seeing CASSANDRA'S DREAM and now IN BRUGES, he's convinced me he can act and be watchable. His performance as a witty hitman with a conscious is one of his best, playing with such conviction and emotion with a display of comedic timing and facial expressions that surpasses anything he's ever done. But the balance of this film comes from the opposite role of BRENDAN GLEESON, whom Farrell bounces off of. The two together bicker like an old married couple about being in Bruges to do a "job", Gleason loving it, Farell hating it, which provides plenty of laughs and quirky one-liners. Then add in the array of odd characters, (a midget actor, a pretty, drug dealing thief who becomes the love interest of Farell, and the hitmen's boss) round out the journey of our two heros which provide the depth for the characters arc to evolve.

The film does have it's gloomy moments, but it doesn't tend to waver on them too long. The comedic overtones and struggle of the characters are what really moves the story in a direction that keeps you in a good place about what your watching. It could of been very easy to go to the dark side in this film, but that would of made it just another lame hitman movie. There is a twist in the story, a big twist you won't see coming, which really makes the ending much more powerful and emotional. 

This film is something different and something special to watch. It's rare these days to find a movie with great comedy, great acting and a great story. But when you do, it's that very thing that makes movie watching well worth it's time, and IN BRUGES is indeed that movie!  

This film is rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use.

Related Articles: