In Bruges

Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy

Runtime: 107 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5

My Synopsis: Atfer a hit in London goes awry, two Irish hitmen Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are told to hide out in Bruges (it's in Belgium!) by crime boss Harry Waters (hilariously played by Ralph Fiennes) to lay low for a while till things clear up. What was meant to be a simple sight-seeing tour turns into hilarity, while both men question life and death and whether or not continue a life of crime.

Review: The most cleverly written, underrated movie of 2008, and also my personal favorite of 2008, In Bruges is full of witty dialogue around every corner, right from the opening to the very end. I was never a fan of Colin Farrell, but jeez, the man can do comedy very well! His lines were delivered perfectly and I found him very amusing in this film and would love to see him do more comedies. I'm serious, just about EVERY line he delivers is funny and spot-on. He was perfectly cast as the distraught Ray, trying cope after an incident that involved the hit made in London, which is the main reason they are In Bruges in the first place (very important). Brendan Gleeson is in his best role here. He was robbed of an oscar nomination for this role, I think. He plays the calm, professional Ken, who acts as a father figure to Ray, as he just wants Ray to enjoy the little things in life by trying to show him around the town and its many sights and reassuring him that he is still not a bad person after what had happened and that life is worth every bit you've got. Midway through the film, Ken is put to the test when Harry wants him to do one more job, thus ultimately leading down to him or Ray. That's the turning point of the film as it takes a little more of a serious tone, but still manages to uphold its comedy level above the drama level, and that's one of the main reasons I love this film. It never takes itself too seriously nor loses its touch of comedy. Now for Ralph Fiennes, he was my favorite character in the film. He doesn't appear until about the hour and five minute mark, in which case, makes one of the most unexpected, in-your-face appearances ever. This scene alone had me laughing hysterically! From there on, the last half hour or so, is the best in my opinion. Cause once Ralph Fiennes enters the picture, it gets even more funny and twisted thanks to the brilliant script. Hilarity and chaos ensues in the last bit of the film, where suprisingly, it gets unexpectedly violent. For all three stars of the film, their roles are my favorite they've done so far! The film is slow-paced, but don't let that fool you as the movie progresses to get better and better and that's a promise!