Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A Word About.....

In Bruges

I was like an old curmudgeon when I tried relentlessly to see this film around its February release, only to find that its limited release prevented any showing in Central or South Florida. That being said, I was finally able to view this brilliant film on DVD. This is the first feature film from Martin McDonaugh, and he shows early that he has an eye for a film's energy, and the talent for hysterical, excellently-timed dialogue.

The film truly makes room for three brilliant performances from three brilliant actors. Colin Farrell is Ray, a guilt-stricken hitman whose first hit resulted in the accidental death of a little kid. Along with him is Ken, and he's played by Brendan Gleeson in a performance of amazing subtle depth. Ken treats Ray like his protege, and the two are forced to take a trip to Bruges, Belgium after Ray's big flub. Ken enjoys Bruges, its large medieval towers, its cobblestone streets--the history impresses him. But Ray is overcome with anxiety, and manages to get himself into trouble.

It's the chemistry and dynamic between these two actors that makes the film run. Not once does this movie drag its foot, but instead trucks ahead adding more and more strange characters to the mix (a beautiful Belgian drug dealer who seduces Ray; an American dwarf who is bitter and racist). But when the film reaches its peak is when Ray and Ken's boss, Harry, bursts onto the seen. Played brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes, Harry is volatile, violent, profane, and funny all within moments of his arrival in the film (roughly 3/4 of the way through).

When I finally saw Notes On A Scandal over a month ago, I realized that the power of the film came from the two brilliant actresses (Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett) bouncing their great ability off of each other. In Bruges has a similar feel, as Gleeson, Farrell, and Fiennes seem to be in a competition of who can one-up the other. Luckily, neither of the three are able to win, and what we are left with is an incredibly balanced film about three hilarious but deeply troubled men walking around a near fantasy town.

***1/2

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