In Bruges

Release Date: February 29, 2008
Runtime: 107 minutes
Rating: R
Studio: Focus Features
Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Colin Farrell; Brendan Gleeson; Ralph Fiennes; Clémence Poésy; Jordan Prentice; Zeljko Ivanek; Eric Godon; Ciarán Hinds

In Bruges manages to do something remarkable. The film presents itself as a comedy (which may or may not have been a result of the marketing machine around the time of the film’s release); but in reality, is a poignant human drama concerning two damaged souls who find solace and an unconventional sort of family in one another. Even still, the film remains hysterically funny in parts. The movie combines the comedy with the drama with such clarity and effortlessness that you can’t imagine one existing without the other. That the film fuses the two genres so seamlessly is a testament not only to the talent of the actors (Gleeson and Farrell are pitch perfect as the two hitmen), but to the extraordinary craftsmanship of director/screenwriter Martin McDonagh, who has written one of the best screenplays I have ever had the pleasure to see brought to life on the screen.

One of the (many) things I love about this movie is that the comedy springs from the characters and their perspectives, not from goofy slapstick or convenient pratfalls. Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are both marvelously gifted performers who deftly strike the appropriate note of humanity that breathes life into the characters of Ken (Gleeson) and Ray (Farrell). Yes, they are murderers-for-hire, but Ken is really more like your older, more reserved, cardigan-wearing uncle who loves to sightsee; Ray brings to mind your younger, single, and leather jacket-wearing uncle who just wants to go to the nearest pub and get wasted.

While both actors are allowed several opportunities in which to shine, Gleeson in particular stands out, particularly during a phone call sequence about midway through the film. Gleeson takes us through this scene with skill and ease – we can see in his eyes that the hitman life has taken its toll on Ken and hear the resignation in his voice as he speaks. It’s a beautifully acted (in one take, no less) scene. Farrell’s Ray is a perfect counterpoint to Ken, and the actor selflessly trades on his bad boy charm, yet is able to evoke a raw truthfulness in Ray that any decent human being will recognize.

While this is definitely Gleeson and Farrell’s show, a barely-hammy Ralph Fiennes shows up about two-thirds of the way through and lends his own gravitas to the proceedings as the boss hitman. In his short time on screen, Fiennes matches Gleeson and Farrell while edging just close enough to over-the-top to keep the offbeat, sentimental tone of the film on track. Stellar support is offered by Jordan Prentice as a little person actor who drifts in and out of the plot, but nonetheless wonderful when he is on screen, and Clémence Poésy as the local girl love interest for Farrell.

Loaded with one-liners to rival the best comedies, but bleeding with genuine humanity, In Bruges is about as close to a perfect piece of cinema as one is likely to get.