Review of In Bruges (2008) by Gabriel P — 18 Feb 2012

A modern classic in every way. In Bruges, already with a strong cult status, surely will remain as a timeless piece of razor-sharp observational black comedy, highlighting so superbly the unexpectedly mundane aspects of the life of a serial hitman.

The audience is invited to wallow in the humour of two bored, knowingly witty Irishmen, one more cultured than the other, banished to Belgium to hide out after a gang murder gone horribly wrong. The famed Gene Siskel quote "is this film more interesting than a documentary of the same actors having lunch?", again can come into play for this movie, as large portions of it feature the polite, morally-aligned Ken (Gleeson) simply sitting around drinking beer, wandering around museums and generally killing time with the cocky but oh-so-fragile Ray (Farrell).

In the second half, as Ray becomes romantically involved, and his self-destructive behaviour begins to take hold, their 'boss' (Fiennes) is forced to intervene, leading to a truly mad, brutally violent (but hysterically funny) cat and mouse chase across the beautiful medieval backdrop of the northern Belgian city. A captivating, clever, and dryly funny meditation on the morality of the murder trade and how it affects the killer in comparison to the victim, In Bruges is also beautifully written, shockingly unrestrained and often utterly heartbreaking - the bloodshed is never taken for granted in that distant, Coen Brothers fashion - it's personal and exhausting. Note also, the use of Luke Kelly's 'On Raglan Road' is one of the most poignant placements of music the cinema world has ever seen.

Not much else can be said; In Bruges is a great, great film. It's as simple as that.