In Bruges [Blu-ray]

Following a killing that went very wrong, two Irish hitmen hole up in Bruges, Belgium, and wait for their boss to tell them what to do next. The younger thug, Ray, hates everything about the storybook-pretty city, while his older partner, Ken, enjoys the sightseeing. They meet some interesting characters and then the phone call comes from the boss - and it's bad news for one of them.

I'd heard a lot about how wonderful this movie was and, to my surprise, it really lives up to the hype. It is an outstanding black comedy, very much in the same vein as Fargo, with really bad guys interacting in a small town, speaking simple dialogue that is unintentionally funny, and some really graphic violence. Colin Ferrell (Phone Booth) and Brendan Gleeson ("MadEye Moody")) are outstanding as Ray and Ken who turn out to be pretty regular guys with consciences. They are an appealing odd couple with contrasting personalities who still have a deep bond between them. Ralph Fiennes plays a good family man who also happens to be the killers' boss. He's very good (with a cockney accent that sounds like Michael Caine. The underlying decency of the killers makes them somewhat likeable and even sympathetic and noble, despite their chosen work.

With its remarkable medieval architecture and serene atmosphere, Bruges is a stunning location and I fell under its spell. This is a movie with beauty and ugliness, humor and suspense, and most important, a truly great script; what a winning combination. Highly recommended.

Now this is how film making and story telling should be done. With an unpredictable plot, with witty and engaging dialogue, with performances that are spot on. We saw this in an empty theatre which is a tragedy. Hopefully it will find an audiece on DVD because it is a film that deserves to be seen. We snapped up the DVD soon after its release. Watching Farrell in the best role of his life ... this guy is funny ... was a sheer joy. Great film to see over and over again.

There is a lot to like about this movie, and I like it a lot. But it is a particular taste.

It has to be said up front: this movie is dark, both emotionally and viscerally. It begins with a tragically botched mob hit, and then gets darker yet. So if someone tells you it's a comedy (and it is) be aware it's not that kind of comedy. If you liked "Grosse Pointe Blank" but needed it to be creepier, more meditative, set in (and gorgeously filmed in) Belgium, and just a bit more surreal, then you will like "In Bruges".

Silliness aside, this movie takes the conventions of classic hitman or mobster films and toys with them. We're faced with thoughtful, tortured bad guys who are having conversations about the existence of God, redemption, and loyalty. We're given a hilarious view of Belgium at Christmas as an allegorical Purgatory. There is superb acting by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, with great supporting work by Ralph Fiennes, Jordan Prentice, and many others. Despite being deep and dark, though, it is a comedy at its heart. These are amusing characters in darkly funny situations that feel very natural.

This is not an action-packed thrill-ride of a movie, though it has its moments. There are a few places I think it rings false in aid of moving the plot and theme to the proper place, especially near the climax. But I will gladly watch it again and again.