This is another of those interesting films that doesn’t deliver on its trailer’s promises. It is in fact a very, very good film. Just not what I expected.
If you’re anticipating an hilarious offbeat black comedy with assassins, you’ll be disappointed.
The main joke, of course, is that Ray (Colin Farrell) thinks that Bruges is a bit of a hole. He and his co-worker Ken (Brendan Gleeson) have been ordered to lay low in Belgium until the heat dies down back in England, where Ray’s last job didn’t go as planned. It begins as an odd couple comedy, but we soon see the more sentimental sides of these hit men. Ray may be at the beginning of his career, and Ken well past the point of no return, but they both share a sadness that springs from being unable to reconcile their position in the world. Whilst in Bruges, they meet several locals who will push the narrative in various directions, but it’s Ray that’s the central character. Farrell imbues him with such sympathy that your heart breaks when things don’t go his way, but he’ll just as soon make you laugh with his random acts of drug-fuelled violence.
The city is of course beautiful. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Bruges on film before, but it’s stunning in this flick. I can imagine the film will easily boost the town’s tourist trade. The cinematography captures the city perfectly, and Carter Burwell’s soundtrack is easily the best I’ve heard all year. At first it’s rather unobtrusive, but once the shit hits the fan it truly erupts, and is an incredibly effective complement to the performances.
Ralph Fiennes proves once again to be a master of his craft, playing Ken and Ray’s boss. Harry is so tightly wound that you wouldn’t be surprised if he explodes in violence at any moment, even if he is the most principled character in the whole film. Speaking of violence, the film is a little grisly at times. Whilst never gratuitous, it certainly doesn’t shy away from truthfully creating the type of blood and gore that would result from such acts.
In Bruges is a fantastic film that focuses almost entirely on character development when other films might be more concerned with pacing. As such, it might be a little dull for some, but anyone who doesn’t go the distance would be missing out. Highly recommended.