We live in a world that has become so uptight, so anal retentive about every little word that is uttered from our freedom-induced mouths, that we forget how to sit back, throw caution to the wind and just laugh at our own insecurities, life choices and past mistakes.
Such entertainment value can be found in the dark comedy "In Bruges."
Hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are told by their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to hold up in Bruges (pronounced "broozh"), the most well-preserved medieval city in Belguim.
Following a tough job-particularly tough on Ken, mentally-Harry tells them to enjoy the culture and the scenery, cool off in a most beautiful city. While Ray goes about educating himself about the rich history of the city that his younger counterpart could care less about ("If I were born on a farm and retarded, I might like Bruges," Ken says at one point), Ken becomes enthralled with the filming of a movie with a hard-nosed dwarf American actor (Jordan Prentice)-as well as Chloë (Clémence Poésy), one of the on-location production staff, whom Ken becomes utterly infatuated with.
When the next job finally comes through, Ray and Ken must make difficult choices about redemption for their past and new directions for their futures.
"In Bruges" is certainly got some foul, politically incorrect dialogue that is neither kind nor unapologetic. Either way, director Martin McDonagh, who won an Oscar in 2006 for Best Live-Action Short Film, brings a sly, cool smirk at everything PC and uptight in this world with "Bruges."
The film starts so darkly humorous and unabashedly brazen with one-liners that would make the FCC do a double spit-take. One particular line shows Farrell's potential for comic genius. When Ken first sees the filming of the movie and the little person, he exclaims, "They're filming midgets!" While the prejudiced statement could offend some, it is a funny line that is only accented by Farrell's timely and invaluable delivery. This performance is his best since "Minority Report" and a noted milestone in his short yet impressive career so far.
Then, the film makes a turn. One that is not scene or heard or even though of. Deep and emotional drama set in as the film turns into an expressive journey of one's sins and their choice to make things as right as possible. Act II is so deep-rooted in the choices we make as human beings.
Gleeson and Farrell has a genuine chemistry as a father-and-son-type partnership, with Gleeson's fraternal protection looking out after Farrell's rambunctious deviance and both bantering back and forth like a dad and son duo a few steps away from family court. This realistic, unadulterated bonding they have throughout the film showcases both actors' talents.
The film is very much on the same level as 2005's "Layer Cake," which was the launching platform for Daniel Craig into the 007 universe. Both have a genuine, sly coolness about them, but where "Layer Cake" is a straight-up drama, "Bruges" is a mixed bag of McDonagh's tricks that work so great together and expertly fit into place
"In Bruges" will delight some and turn-off a few. However, if you don't mind letting some of your morals at the door for a funny yet absorbed dramedy, the first truly great film of the year, let yourself go before the politically correct wool is pulled back over the eyes.
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