Belgium's beautifully preserved medieval city of Bruges is a favorite destination of vacationers from all over the world, but it might be the final destination for hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), who are ordered to hole up there by their London-based boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) after botching a job. Very much out of place in the storybook Flemish burg, the assassins have widely different reactions to Bruges: Ken is entranced, but Ray can't stand the place—until he enters into a romantic dalliance with beautiful but secretive Chloë (Clémence Poésy). Not that it matters: Harry has decided to clean up their mess—and them with it. Written and directed by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (his feature film debut), In Bruges has plenty of zip and a surfeit of clever lines delivered wryly by actors who appear to be enjoying themselves immensely (Farrell tosses off biting quips with ease, and Fiennes sounds very much like a younger Michael Caine). The yarn starts out as black comedy but—just as in McDonagh's plays—shifts gears rather abruptly, with bloodletting that may prove a bit much for viewers counting on more lighthearted fare. Regardless, McDonagh's tyro effort is a thorough delight. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include 18 minutes of deleted/extended scenes, the production featurettes “When in Bruges” (14 min.), “Strange Bruges” (8 min.), and “A Boat Trip Around Bruges” (6 min.), a six-minute gag reel, a “F**cking Bruges” montage of curse words from the film (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid film.] (E. Hulse)
In Bruges
Focus, 107 min., R, DVD: $29.98, June 24 Volume 23, Issue 4
In Bruges
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