 KSL Movie Show Review:...
IN BRUGES *** By Steve Salles Standard Examiner movie critic Oscar-nominated films still dominate the art houses these days, but the first of the Sundance premieres trickles out this weekend, this one involving hitmen and a tourist destination. IN BRUGES *** (R) strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use. Starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy and Jordan Prentice. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh (“Six Shooter”) - filmed in Bruges, Belgium. Playing at the Broadway Centre in SLC and Century 16 SLC. 107 minutes. Dark comedies involving hitmen are all the rage these days and “In Bruges” takes a similar tact only with a few clever twists along the way - enough to make it interesting at least. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are Ray and Ken - two guns for hire that apparently botched their last assignment. All they’re told by their mysterious boss Harry is to go to Bruges, Belgium, lay low and wait for further instruction. Ken is fairly happy about being able to see the sites in Bruges and explore its rich history while they wait. Ray is going nuts in this “do nothing” old place and longs for the excitement of London. Finally, they agree on a compromise. If Ray will go with Ken to visit the museums and ancient churches, Ken will go with Ray to the local pubs to get a taste of Bruges’ night life. Unfortunately, for both of them. They’re not in their hotel room when Harry calls with his latest instructions - and he’s none too happy as the desk message is laced with obscenities. We soon learn why the boys have been sent to Bruges, but in the meantime, they’ve managed to insult just about everyone, from a little person actor who is featured in a movie shooting nearby to an obese family determined to see the view from the city’s bell tower that has a narrow, spiral staircase. You can only imagine the idiotic things they come up with, and normally I would be offended (and I was somewhat as they ventured into cheap joke territory here) but it was the innocent way that Ray goes about it that cracked me up. Aside from the comedy, there are a handful of gruesomely violent scenes that seemed a bit too harsh given the lighthearted nature of the rest of the film. It was a stark reminder that even though these guys were funny, they were also professional hitmen and working for a very bad man. Also, you should be aware of the strong language as the f-bomb is tossed around like beads at Mardi Gras - that would be with some frequency. Still, I thought “In Bruges” was darkly entertaining and peppered with more than a few surprises.
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Steve