For all his movie's tough talk, it's a sometimes slipshod construction.
In Bruges (2008)
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Reviews Counted:151
Fresh:121
Rotten:30
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Featuring witty dialogue and deft performances In Bruges is an effective mix of dark comedy and crime thriller elements.
Rated: 18 [See Full Rating] for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use.
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:07-03-2008
Synopsis: Mr. McDonagh makes his feature directorial debut on the film, from his own original screenplay. His plays (which include The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman) have brought him two... Mr. McDonagh makes his feature directorial debut on the film, from his own original screenplay. His plays (which include The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman) have brought him two Olivier Awards and four Tony Award nominations. He wrote and directed Six Shooter, starring Brendan Gleeson, which earned him the 2006 Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film. In Bruges was filmed on location; Bruges (pronounced "broozh"), the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travelers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), it could be their final destination; a difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered right before Christmas by their London boss Harry (two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks. Very much out of place amidst the gothic architecture, canals, and cobbled streets, the two hit men fill their days living the lives of tourists. Ray, still haunted by the bloodshed in London, hates the place, while Ken, even as he keeps a fatherly eye on Ray's often profanely funny exploits, finds his mind and soul being expanded by the beauty and serenity of the city. But the longer they stay waiting for Harry's call, the more surreal their experience becomes, as they find themselves in weird encounters with locals, tourists, violent medieval art, a dwarf American actor (Jordan Prentice) shooting a European art film, Dutch prostitutes, and a potential romance for Ray in the form of Chloë (Clémence Poésy), who may have some dark secrets of her own. And when the call from Harry does finally come, Ken and Ray's vacation becomes a life-and-death struggle of darkly comic proportions and surprisingly emotional consequences. --© Focus Features [More]
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jordan Prentice, Jérémie Rénier
Director: Martin McDonagh
Director: Martin McDonagh
Screenwriter: Martin McDonagh
Producer: Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin
Composer: Carter Burwell
Studio: Focus Features
Reviews for In Bruges
McDonagh's trademark is dark humor, the ability to humanize inhuman situations, and plot twists you don't see coming. Expect all of these here, along with gorgeous cinematography by Eigil Bryld.
McDonagh’s dialogue is often bruisingly funny -- particularly once hambone Ralph Fiennes makes his belated entrance -- and his sense of the absurd never falters.
Colin Farrell has redeemed himself, and shown he is an actor of the first rank.
Despite its graphic violence, In Bruges remains a hilarious comedy with poignant moments, while never tipping over into maudlin territory.
The twists and turns of McDonagh's elaborate plotting, its tremendous location of the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium, and the high level of performances from everyone involved makes it one of this year's pleasures.
Despite the contrived conclusion, it all works marvellously, and that's thanks to some terrific performances.
Brilliantly sharp screenplay oozes pathos, incongruity and comedy of the blackest kind ... hilarious yet tragic, unpredictable yet conventional, but always involving and surprisingly moving
A very dark comedy that gets sillier and bloodier and less funny as it nears its violent conclusion.
Every once in awhile, a film will come out that just slaps you in the face. And I mean that in the best possible way.
Marketed as a much faster-paced shoot-'em-up than it ultimately is...Go for the scenery, stay for the Act III climax and Ralph Fiennes.
The two lead actors, Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, were great in their respective roles.
When it is a dark comedy full of feisty dialogue and humorous Pulp Fiction-type exchanges, In Bruges is fantastic.
Brooding, tense, allegorical, quirky, tragic and unbelievably funny, In Bruges may be the most intelligent, introspective and bizarre gangster thriller in quite some time, perhaps ever.
The performances, by both Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, have an unpredictable, appealing, off-kilter, bull-in-a-china-shop quality that transcends the material's innate familiarity.
Latest News for In Bruges
December 14, 2008:
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The hardware won't be handed out until February 8, but the winners of this year's Boston Society of Film Critics Awards have been announced -- and they're all listed right here. More...
December 11, 2008:
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November 07, 2008:
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August 15, 2008:
Movie Spots: Brooding, tense, allegorical, quirky, tragic and unbelievably funny, In Bruges may be the most intelligent, introspective and bizarre gangster thriller in quite some time, perhaps ever. ![]()
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