UK/Belgium 2008
Starring : Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson
Director : Martin McDonagh
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IT'S debatable whether the Belgian tourist authorities will be delighted or horrified by In Bruges, a comedy-thriller almost entirely shot in Flanders' most picturesque city. On the one hand, the location looks predictably superb: a wonder of swan-populated canals, dramatic architecture and pretty squares (plus a bevy of seductive women), all shot to maximum scenic advantage by cinematographer Eigil Bryld.
   On the other, the story which unfolds against these backdrops makes Bruges look like a danger-zone of weirdness, bloodshed and criminality - populated by drug-dealers, hustlers, prostitutes, assassins, stroppy North American tourists and snooty cops. And the tale builds to a very violent climax that leaves plenty of blood on the ancient cobblestones.
   As the first feature-film by highly acclaimed playwright McDonagh - whose debut short, Six Shooter, won the Oscar, no less - In Bruges has been one of this year's more keenly-anticipated new releases. But though there's much to admire and enjoy here, on this evidence it'll be a while before McDonagh transfers his stage reputation to feature-length celluloid.
   While his choice of geographical setting may be enticingly original, his plot - about two bickering hitmen forced into temporary exile after a messily botched 'job' - has a relatively hand-me-down feel, and he doesn't quite find sufficient fresh angles on what have become rather tired cinematic tropes.
   The early stretches - in which veteran Ken (Gleeson) and his greenhorn colleague Ray (Farrell) get their bearings in their disorienting, quietly exotic new environment - work by far the best, McDonagh relying heavily on their odd-couple badinage and contrasting personalities (culture-vulture Ken, laddish-boorish sensation-seeker Ray).
   But as the offbeat plot kicks in - via convolutions involving seductive local Chloe (Clemence Poesy) and the hitmen's short-tempered Cockney-gangster boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes, suitably droll) - McDonagh seems to lose his way somewhat, most noticeably in an elaborate denouement which smacks heavily of self-indulgent scriptwriting contrivance. 
   So while Farrell is, as usual, extremely watchable, and although the picture is full of amusing situations and knockout dialogue, it never quite builds into a satisfying whole - losing itself in tangents and byways instead of playing to its considerable strengths. 

Neil Young
8th April, 2008
written for the next issue of Tribune magazine



IN BRUGES : [6/10] : Martin McDONAGH : UK/Bel 2008 : 107m (BBFC)
seen at Pictureville cinema, National Media Museum. Bradford : 29th February 2008 : public show (complimentary ticket) : Bradford International Film Festival

more reviews from BIFF 2008