Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:05 am
Saw the previews for this a while back and thought it looked boring. However, I recently read somewhere that it was recommended so I figured I'd take a chance.
I'm glad I did.
This is not a film that can be sold through a trailer. In fact, based on the trailer I saw I came in expecting a very, very different film.
This is a dark comedy in the same realm as Fargo.
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are criminals sent to hide out for 2 weeks in Bruges. Colin is immediately bored, but is kept in check by Brendan's older and wiser character. Their time in Bruges is marked by how quickly these two men "in hiding" make an impression upon members of the local populace.
I'll say nothing else about the plot to avoid spoilers.
Needless to say that as the viewer is granted knowledge about exactly why they're in Bruges things get far darker, however the comedy is still there throughout.
The acting here is off the charts good. Colin Farrell is better here than anything I've ever seen him in and Brendan Gleeson steps up from character actor to truly carry this film. There is not a single bad performance. Special note for Jordan Prentice. I know that the material had to have been difficult for him or possibly put him in a difficult position off camera, but he was fantastic.
The story is very good. There was only one event within the film that was a weak plot device, but one could easily explain it to themselves: "Perhaps they saw him get on that particular ."
I'm not sure how to recommend this film because it may turn some off, but others who would love it might skip it thinking it's not for them. Fargo is a pretty good indicator for this film as if you liked that, I can't imagine you not liking this as they're both dark comedies delving in the realm of crime.
8 out of 10.
I'm glad I did.
This is not a film that can be sold through a trailer. In fact, based on the trailer I saw I came in expecting a very, very different film.
This is a dark comedy in the same realm as Fargo.
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are criminals sent to hide out for 2 weeks in Bruges. Colin is immediately bored, but is kept in check by Brendan's older and wiser character. Their time in Bruges is marked by how quickly these two men "in hiding" make an impression upon members of the local populace.
I'll say nothing else about the plot to avoid spoilers.
Needless to say that as the viewer is granted knowledge about exactly why they're in Bruges things get far darker, however the comedy is still there throughout.
The acting here is off the charts good. Colin Farrell is better here than anything I've ever seen him in and Brendan Gleeson steps up from character actor to truly carry this film. There is not a single bad performance. Special note for Jordan Prentice. I know that the material had to have been difficult for him or possibly put him in a difficult position off camera, but he was fantastic.
The story is very good. There was only one event within the film that was a weak plot device, but one could easily explain it to themselves: "Perhaps they saw him get on that particular ."
I'm not sure how to recommend this film because it may turn some off, but others who would love it might skip it thinking it's not for them. Fargo is a pretty good indicator for this film as if you liked that, I can't imagine you not liking this as they're both dark comedies delving in the realm of crime.
8 out of 10.