Where would you find two mismatched, hilariously nasty and surprisingly engaging hit men set against a backdrop of lovely, charming canals filled with swans? "In Bruges" of course. It's controlled chaos in a tourist filled town in Belgium as Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleason) hide out in the medieval-styled Bruges at the instruction of their boss (Ralph Fiennes as Harry) after a botched job. With the blackest of humor, a couple of very cool plot turns and three actors with plenty of talent and chemistry, writer/director Martin McDonagh serves up a rare treat for moviegoers who like their crime stories edgy.
Ray is tortured by his accidental killing of a young boy during the first job of his career. He hates Bruges, has no interest in obeying the instructions of his boss back in London and jumps between restless boredom and severe depression. Ken, on the other hand, falls in love with the beautiful Belgian town, sightseeing to his heart's content (and Ray's irritation). On a rare night out, Ray bumps into a film company shooting on the streets of Bruges and hooks up with Chloe (Clemence Poesy) as well as a feisty dwarf actor (Jordan Prentice). Ken is left to deal with the increasingly infuriated Harry, who senses that his two wayward employees aren't following the rules and throws a serious curveball at the conscientious, gentlemanly Ken. Although the storyline wouldn't necessarily warrant humor there's plenty, and it's definitely of the politically incorrect kind. Fun is poked at fat people (3 American tourists), small people (the dwarf actor) and race relations as well as smoking in restaurants and sacred tourist attractions.
Playwright McDonagh (an Oscar winning director of the short film "Six Shooter") makes an impressive feature film directorial debut. He keeps the action moving in unexpected ways while developing a touching relationship between the two main characters. The Bruges setting is used to glorious effect, becoming an additional character in the story.
Things to love about this movie: Beautiful Bruges (I'd never heard of it, but after seeing this movie I want to visit!); great casting; Brendan Gleason brilliantly playing a type of character different from his usual; some fun plot twists
Things to hate about this movie: Several drawn out deaths (it takes a lot to kill these people)
Pleasant surprises: The character development of the two hit men; Gleason/Farrell chemistry
Unpleasant surprises: Ending was a bit of a letdown (though not enough to spoil the film)
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