Plot Summary – Ray and Ken, two hitmen, get stuck in Bruges, Belgium, after an unsuccessful mission.

★★★★★ 

Watched on 08 May 2021

Never have I watched a film that’s made me laugh but also ponder some deep moral questions. In Bruges has so many layers that I haven’t begun to unpack. Is Bruges an allegory for purgatory? Is it supposed to be reminiscent of a confession chamber in a church? Or is it just Bruges? The film makes you think so much about what the message is and whose side you’re on and I think that’s what makes it so special. McDonagh gives us characters to support but you still find yourself wondering whether you should back them because their actions are so morally grey or at least they’re portrayed that way. Collin Farrel gives one of his best performances as this rookie hitman and you’re completely enthralled by his character. I should warn you that the humor while incredibly witty and effective for most of the runtime, it gets quite offensive. I’d like to believe that it was satire and the writer did not mean anything the characters say because otherwise it would be pretty grim. It’s a product of it’s time nad it has to be respected for that. The cinematography varies between absolutely gorgeous and ridiculously dull but I feel like that was intentional to match the varying tones and moral quandaries of the film. The ending is so brutal yet effective that it really puts the entire film into question and you’re left to wonder many things. I felt like In Bruges was an extremely well written film and anyone following my reviews for long enough knows that I’m a sucker for good writing and this film is a perfect example of that. I absolutely loved this film and I recommend it to you if you don’t mind a bit of crass humour.