Movie Review: In Bruges (2008)

In Bruges, written and directed by Martin McDonagh, 2008

MPAA rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use

In Bruges is the story of two English hit men who are sent by their mob boss (Ralph Fiennes) to Bruges ("it's in Belgium" as they say in the movie several times) to lay low after a big job. Ray, the younger trigger man played by Colin Farrell, thinks they've been sent to a dump and only wants to get on with things. Ken, the older assassin played by Brendon Gleeson, is happy to explore and enjoy the storybook charms of the best preserved medieval city in Belgium. They run across a film crew where they meet a dwarf (Jordan Prentice) and Ray hits on an attractive local lady who is somehow involved with the production.

The story begins to unfold as we discover more about the hit and why they are hanging out in Bruges and not some quiet little town in Britain. Though the film is advertised as a comedy (and it is quite funny), it develops some very serious drama and themes as the characters struggle with the consequences of their actions and try to move forward in their lives. The film manages to blend the comedy and drama well. Neither seems tacked on or forced into the situation. Both come naturally from the characters, a sure sign of well written and well performed roles.

The moral motivation and wrestling of the characters is very engaging and very satisfying, again because it's so authentic to the people we meet in the film. Even a small character like the hotel's co-owner and front desk worker is well rounded (and not just because she's pregnant). She only has three or four scenes in the movie but is memorable and her role in the end of the film makes sense and is completely in character with who she is.

We meant to watch this movie before our Thanksgiving trip to Bruges, but we were not organized enough to pull it off. Now that we have watched it, I think it was more satisfying to see it after visiting. Watching the characters sightsee was like having a checklist of the best things that we saw and an affirmation that we did see the big sights. The belfry? We saw that. The Holy Blood Basilica? We saw that. Canal boat ride? We did that. At one point, the two hit men are in children's playground, which we hadn't seen. I said to my wife, "It's a good thing the kids aren't watching with us or they'd complain about not going to this playground!"

Of course, no one should watch this movie with their kids unless the children are grown up. In addition to the bloody violence of the hit men, there's a lot of swearing, a fair bit of drinking, some recreational drug use, some racist conversations (played for laughs which might take some of the offensiveness out), and two or three sex scenes (without nudity but one is in a brothel). But for adults, the well-drawn characters and the thoughtful moral musings make this a rewarding movie to watch. And it is pretty funny.