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In Bruges [2008] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Almost a cult classic....
Review date: 2008-06-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

The surprise film of the year, absolutely. Brilliantly shot, great sequences, good soundtrack, cracking dialogue and great acting.....yet not quite the classic it could have been.

Here we have two Irish hitmen, sent away to Bruges (it's in Belgium!)to lie low after a hit has gone horribly wrong. While awaiting the phone call from cockney gangster Harry (a barely recognisable Ralph Fiennes), Ray and Ken manage to get involved in a series of bizarre scrapes, involving midgets (they prefer to be called dwarves apparently), prostitutes, and Canadian tourists. It all sounds a bit contrived, but it is pretty clever.

My real issue comes from the fact that we're not really shown enough evidence of the relationship between the two hitmen to justify how the plot pans out, and therefore I thought the plot wasn't really that logical. It's a minor niggle really, but it was there. my second, and bigger problem, was the ending. It's what i call a 'mirror' ending, and very popular with Hollywood movies and cheesy literature, where everything gets wwrapped up in a nice little bundle. Here we have 90 minutes of almost a cult arthouse movie, and then we get all Hollywood at the end. Frustrating!

It's a good good movie, but not quite a five star one - everything about it is very good (although I don't think it's quite as 'hilarious' as the otehr two reviewers above - the humour is quite subtle rather than the scattergun laugh-a-minute like Lock, Stock...for example), and it's well worth seeing.

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Reviews


Hilarious, Clever, Superb.
Review date: 2008-05-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

A pretty self-explanatory title sets the premise here, well almost. Two hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are hiding out in Bruges after a hit that went horribly wrong and has terrible ramifications for one of these men. Following orders from a mysterious mob boss by the name of Harry, portrayed brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes the two hit men must make do in the city described as "something out of a fairytale" or as Ray summed it up "maybe that's what hell really is, to spend eternity in Bruges". It would be cruel of me to divulge too much of the plot so all Ill say is that this movie is easily the smartest, and hilarious laugh out loud comedies/dramas I can remember seeing. How the director manages to take a story about two men struggling to deal with the emotional baggage and the quite simply the guilt that comes with their profession, and combine it with totally appropriate moments of sheer comic genius mixed with nearly absurd passages, for instance the dwarf scene, enough said is quite an achievement. As is the way you begin too feel great sympathy for a group of not so ruthless killers who go to extraordinary lengths to simply stick by their principals. As one would expect the characters are a colourful bunch, Farrell getting up to or at least trying to get up to some mischievousness, or simply saying like it is, (American tourists beware). Then there's Ken trying to find some harmony in the surroundings and immerse himself in the culture and art of Bruges and in the process dragging a very reluctant Ray along with him. Then we have a string of interesting supporting characters, such as Chloë, Rays love interest, played by Clémence Poésy, (who was in "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire") and the Jimmy the dwarf (Jordan Prentice)

Drugs, Sex, attempted suicide, botched hits, karate chopping scenes, perceptive drug fuelled thoughts on life, and a very meaningful dare I say grown up story which provides endless laughs but plenty of thoughts after its all over. The amazing cinematography along with all the talk about Bruges (whether or not the city is portrayed accurately or not is a matter of opinion) really makes the city itself become a character and a score that's not haunting but manages to convey the films darker tone perfectly. In Bruges is a brilliant mix of dark comedy and real human problems which manage to get the best out of a talented cast (easily the best performance I have seen from Colin Farrell). Needless to say a Film this brilliant will not end up being predictable or revert to formula, no it stays interesting and manages to surprise the viewer right up until the films griping conclusion. A fascinating character study filled with meaning and hilarity all the way, this is easily one of the best films so far this year. See it.


Hilarious, a must see!
Review date: 2008-05-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

In Bruges is by far one of the best comedies I have seen in many years. It's original, different and highly entertaining. I was surprised it was so emotional but this only added to the quality of the film.
Farrell and Feinnes stand off is truly unique. Feinnes' performance is by far one of his finest comedic moments. In Bruges is a refreshing production, just what the doctor ordered! Any comedy fan will love this film. A definate must-see for any film fan.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Elizabeth Berrington
Rudy Blomme
Ann Elsley
Mark Donovan
Olivier Bonjour

Creators:
Elizabeth Berrington (Primary Contributor)
Rudy Blomme (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
EAN: 0025195016322
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: AC-3, Colour, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 2008-06-24
Universal product code (UPC): 025195016322
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2008
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)

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