Review: In Bruges

Review: In Bruges

Rating: ***1/2

Nonna's Rating: $$$

Rotten Tomatoes: 80%

Two professional hitmen hide in Bruges after a tragically bungled hit. One of them, played by Brendan Gleason, is a world-weary, experienced caretaker of sort (and I use that term in the broadest of senses). The other, played by Colin Ferrell, is the bungler -- and a liability as far as their boss, played by Ralph Fiennes (very much against type), is concerned. I hesitate to reveal any more. The plot is full of twists and turns as well as blood and comedy.

The juxtaposition of gore and extremely funny situations works somehow. And the director and writer, Martin McDonagh, manages to deliver a story in which we actually find ourselves caring about a couple of hitmen. Of course, credit must also go to the actors. We learn very little about their histories, but we know their stories just by looking at their faces. Brendan Gleason's existential angst is palpable; his altruism is almost saintly -- in a world where Satan is god. Colin Farrell's performance is nothing short of brilliant. His eyebrows could win an Oscar. And Ralph Fiennes is one scary dude -- a devoted English family man in the tradition of Tony Soprano.

A few critics have found the ending contrived and artificial. I found it believable and satisfying. What goes around comes around.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price
$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it