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Saw this movie this weekend and wanted to post about it, particularly because I think a) its good and b) the trailer completely mis-sells the movie.
The trailer makes the movie look like some sort of Baz Luhrmann/Guy Ritchie crime movie with kinetic action and bizarre characters. I've even read some reviews that refer to the movie as Tarantino-esque. I have no idea what movie those reviewers watched, but it wasn't this one.
In Bruges stars Colin Farrell (as Ray) and Brendon Gleeson (as Ken) as two hitmen that are hiding out in Bruges, Belgium after Colin's character botches a job in London. The two are old friends, but they both have completely different attitudes regarding their stay in the medieval city - Ken finds the architecture and art fascinating, while Ray is bored out of his skull and just wants to drown himself at the pub, particularly as he is feeling an incredible amount of guilt regarding the consequences of the botched hit.
A majority of the movie deals with Ray and Ken's friendship and the "honor among thieves", particularly the sense of duty Ken feels towards their boss (played by Ralph Fiennes) and the sense of responsibility he feels towards Ray (who he brought into the business). The overall seriousness of the movie is offset by lighter scenes, featuring an American dwarf who is in Bruges to film a movie and a young woman named Chloe who manages to distract Ray from his guilt for a time.
I'd definitely put the movie more in the drama category, rather than action or comedy, although it certainly has aspects of both. While it is not as great of film as Scorseses work, it is probably closer to films like The Departed than it is to Ritchies or Tarantino's movies.
Note: I love the fact that Brendon Gleeson is a lead in this, rather than a supporting actor. He's a great actor that I've enjoyed in a lot of movies, and its nice seeing him get a role that brings him to the forefront. His stint in Kingdom of Heaven as Reynald was fantastic, but I've pretty much liked everything I've ever seen him do, from Braveheart, Gangs of New York, to this movie.
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I'm curious to see this too. It was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, my favorite contemporary playwright.
McDonagh also won an oscar last year (I think it was last year) for a short film that he did.
Normally having Colin Farrell is enough to steer me away from a movie these days, but its got Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes in it, so hopefully they can outweigh the "Farrell Factor".
Actually, I really like Colin in this movie. Usually, I come away from movies he's been in with no impression of him at all...he's kind of meh. But in this one, he gets some real character and characterization that works well and left me with a fairly favorable view of him.