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In Bruges (2008)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Movie review
From Time Out Chicago
The world wasn’t exactly clamoring for another movie about sensitive hit men—not least one directed by a first-time feature filmmaker with a playwright’s preference for words over action. As in his recent stage smash The Pillowman, McDonagh (who won an Oscar for his short “Six Shooter”) writes his scenario in every direction at once: Sequences are overexplained; characters are belatedly introduced; a lone flashback feels shoehorned in.
But In Bruges achieves a kind of zany momentum all the same, as any movie featuring a drugged-out dwarf, a cycloptic thief and an irritable Canadian sightseer as running characters might. All parties are united in Bruges, the medieval Belgian city–cum–tourist spot where the assassins (nervous rookie Farrell and genial old-timer Gleeson) have been instructed to hide out. Whether they’re in “fucking Bruges”—as Farrell calls it—on a hit or a paid vacation is an open question. As they navigate this landscape of cathedrals and gastropubs, McDonagh immerses them in an interplay that’s half-Beckett, half–Mikey and Nicky, with Farrell grasping for redemption through a romance with a local (Poésy).
Rich with a Mamet-like tendency toward tautology (“History—it’s all a bunch of stuff that’s already happened”), McDonagh’s dialogue is often bruisingly funny, particularly once hambone Fiennes makes his belated entrance. If McDonagh hasn’t yet learned to trust the camera—Don’t Look Now is explicitly mentioned, as though the combination of canals and a dwarf weren’t enough—his sense of the absurd never falters.
Author: Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out Chicago Issue 154: February 7–13, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- Catherine M said...
- Posted on Apr 24 2008 04:58 I thought this was the best film I've seen in a long time, and I've seen a lot of films. Coming from Ireland I would find it hard to be offended at any of the words used and thought it only added to the humour. The three central male characters were incredibly well cast and the parts well acted with a genuine chemistry between them. I've been to Bruge and the film portrayed it's strangeness and beauty effectively. Top stuff, both big and clever in my view.
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- Al Jones said...
- Posted on Apr 23 2008 05:32 Pah! the swearing - c'mon it was appropriate! And Farrell and Gleeson made for a comedic and touching double act..I thought this film was great and for once, enjoyed the cinematic experience (made me forget all about the coughing and rustling)...the humour was dry and sharp and 'in situ'..Bruge looks a fabulous place.
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- Virginia said...
- Posted on Apr 13 2008 21:47 I was so disgusted with the foul language that I walked out.
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- catherine said...
- Posted on Mar 03 2008 08:29 Saw this at the opening gala of Bradford Film Festival so - as a guest - felt obliged to sit through the whole sorry tale! Not big - not clever. Farrel's acting was poor up close and to say the storyline was contrived and predictable is being kind. Where has film-making gone wrong? To pull this kind of thing off and not be offensive or silly - you have to be very very clever. One star rating is for the cinematography - Bruge looks moody and murky - unlike any of the characters - rant over!
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- chris said...
- Posted on Feb 13 2008 17:15 Good review. I can't wait to see this film actually. I visited Bruges a few years ago, and a times it is very surreal and absurd, in other words the tone seems to have captured Bruges. It's a weird little city: modern, yet inescapably trapped in Medieval Europe at the same time. I highly recommended paying a visit if you get he chance.
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- Lee said...
- Posted on Feb 07 2008 22:25 Great movie and a wonderful travelogue for the city of Bruges. Strong language and a lot of violence with an unpredictable ending.
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Cast & crew
Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clémence Poésy, Jordan Prentice, Zeljko Ivanek, Jérémie Rénier full cast
Rated: R
Duration: 107 mins
US Release: Feb 8 2008
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