Where is it? It's in Belgium. And it looks like a fairy tale. Except it totally is not, it is, however, a witty, well paced, well written, well acted piece of comedic action-drama. And it's Irish (or Anglo-Irish), directed and written by Martin McDonagh, it stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes (how do you pronounce his name, is it Raif or Ralph?) and Clemence Poesy. Did you know some call this a collaboration between Britain and America, ain't that a laugh.
Now of course this film isn't for everyone. Buckets of blood, drug use, prostitution and a couple of politically incorrect conversations. So I would recommend avoid watching it with your parents (because that was an awkward evening).
The story follows two Irish hit men on the run and in hiding after a botched assassination. They are sent to the peaceful and medieval town of Bruge, where Ken enjoys the sights and sounds, but Ray is bored and has bouts of depression. He is saddened from the killing of a young boy during the assassination and flip-flops between manic, depressed and elation. While in Bruge he meets a production assistant/drug-dealer named Chloe, a dwarf American actor Jimmy (played by a very funny Jordan Prentice) and Eirick, Chloe's ex and former partner. Along the way he get's into fight with tourists, spits out useless facts and finds himself growing evermore paranoid and despondent. Ken himself is constantly trying to keep a low profile and have a nice time, but Ray seem's to prevent any chance of that.
Apparently, the film did get it's budget back and it was well received (even getting an Oscar for best original screenplay). So why doesn't this film ever get noticed. Many don't even realize it's existence, while some do, but ignore. I mean, OK the premise sounds like most generic crime thrillers these days, where the guy's go to a foreign country, get into some wild hi-jinx, then shit hit's the fan and a wild climax happens with the two or three getting off scot-free. Well this is not that movie. In fact the reason I think many dislike it is because of that reason, as the pacing is slow and calm, it is mostly composed of the witty dialog that it's now famous for and there is no clear villain. Well there kind of is. But when you think about it, they are all criminals, murderers or pushers and so really if they each go after each other it's sort of like a means to an end and killing each other will make things much easier. It's just like the quote from Iago in Othello,
Now of course this film isn't for everyone. Buckets of blood, drug use, prostitution and a couple of politically incorrect conversations. So I would recommend avoid watching it with your parents (because that was an awkward evening).
The story follows two Irish hit men on the run and in hiding after a botched assassination. They are sent to the peaceful and medieval town of Bruge, where Ken enjoys the sights and sounds, but Ray is bored and has bouts of depression. He is saddened from the killing of a young boy during the assassination and flip-flops between manic, depressed and elation. While in Bruge he meets a production assistant/drug-dealer named Chloe, a dwarf American actor Jimmy (played by a very funny Jordan Prentice) and Eirick, Chloe's ex and former partner. Along the way he get's into fight with tourists, spits out useless facts and finds himself growing evermore paranoid and despondent. Ken himself is constantly trying to keep a low profile and have a nice time, but Ray seem's to prevent any chance of that.
Apparently, the film did get it's budget back and it was well received (even getting an Oscar for best original screenplay). So why doesn't this film ever get noticed. Many don't even realize it's existence, while some do, but ignore. I mean, OK the premise sounds like most generic crime thrillers these days, where the guy's go to a foreign country, get into some wild hi-jinx, then shit hit's the fan and a wild climax happens with the two or three getting off scot-free. Well this is not that movie. In fact the reason I think many dislike it is because of that reason, as the pacing is slow and calm, it is mostly composed of the witty dialog that it's now famous for and there is no clear villain. Well there kind of is. But when you think about it, they are all criminals, murderers or pushers and so really if they each go after each other it's sort of like a means to an end and killing each other will make things much easier. It's just like the quote from Iago in Othello,
" each do kill the other, every way makes my gain"I suppose the best scenes to look for is when Ray speaks with the obese American tourists, the telegram from Harry and the final confrontation between Ken and Harry, the use of 'On Raglan Road is especially impressive, highlighting just how Irish the film is. Nothing else to say, I guess, the comedy is great, the characters enjoyable and the story well written. One of the most underrated films of all time, I dare say it is a comedy classic.
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