In Bruges

I saw the trailer for In Bruges when I happened to arrive a bit early for Iron Man and, well, it captured my attention. What’s so special about that? Nothing. But it never happened to me before. I usually watch trailers in the peace of my home, so I know what’s going on (thanks to the guys at MovieZone ;-). Long story short, the movie me even more than the excellent trailer. Two hired killers arrive in a medieval town full of historical monuments for a holiday. And one of them is carrying a memory with him of the last murder, which went wrong in the worst possible way. Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson both excel throughout, joined from the second half of the movie by Ralph Fiennes, who I’ve never heard as foulmouthed as he was here. Well I have to take my hat off to the director Martin McDonagh. His debut is already among the best movies produced this year. (06/12/2008)

For some heaven, for others hell, purgatory for all. An intimate existential gangster film about guilt, forgiveness and rectification, which evolves in a riveting way from a romantic tourist tour of Flemish beauties to a distorted Bosch canvas. Brendan Gleeson's heavy-duty fatherly performance, Colin Farrel's affectively childish creation, and the old-fashioned principle embodied by Ralph Fiennes – and the carefully constructed theatrical dialogues around them, a fantastically embodied image and an intense atmosphere that is closely related to the way filmmakers use Flemish Gothic. McDonagh shows off his dramatic talent (in places, it's more of a theatrical play in a riveting film version), but at the same time he doesn't hold back the magic of cinematic speech (brilliant work with narrative dynamics). As a result, modest In Bruges grows into a complex cinematic metaphor, the Bosch punchline of which is as beautiful as it is chilling. Names like Ritchie and Tarantino may be heard here, but that doesn't change the fact that McDonagh is unpretentious and thoughtfully his own. P.S. I don't know why, but somehow I've got a desire for this guy to make a Bond movie... perhaps with Colin. (11/10/2010)

A flawlessly balanced blend of tragic drama and smart comedy. A film with a (literal) fairytale atmosphere so intense that it fully engulfs you. It’s a little unrealistic – in fact, you aren’t supposed to root for any of the characters, and yet, they are all quite likeable – but all the more charming for that. I was fancying something exactly like this and this film really hit the spot. Which is good, any other day I probably would not give it a full rating, and that would be a shame. (08/01/2008)

Over the past 12 months, this was my strongest cinematic experience alongside the animated movie Persepolis, and is all the more pleasant because it was practically unexpected. A great screenplay, interesting casting, excellent performances, and very well-written dialogues, not only for its genre, where several excellent quotes appear that have the chance to gain cult status. It is a film that clearly distinguishes itself from the genre mainstream while still being appealing to the audience. Black humor, several exciting duels, and unexpected twists. This film was much more attractive to me than the much more discussed American Gangster. I have practically no objections to it. Overall impression: 100%. The purely European atmosphere of an ancient city full of monuments, weary tourists, and small-town mentality also plays a role. (06/29/2008)

At first glance, I can’t avoid the idea that this film doesn't belong in the major leagues. However, upon longer reflection, I am coming closer and closer to the conclusion that the script is simply unique and there are not many better films in the comedy-drama category in our cinemas these days. Either way, the Brits have once again pulled it off and clearly prove that their dry humour far exceeds the impotent American entertainment of recent years. A thoroughly intimate, human, beautifully told and, above all, superbly acted story about a group of strange individuals whose strange mindset is put to the ultimate test in the form of the strangest city in the world. It may sound contrived, but Martin McDonagh has created a truly hard-to-describe film whose final half hour I would not hesitate to place high in the hall of fame of world cinema. Perhaps the creators could have done without the conversation after the jump from the tower:)) P.S. For the second time I raise the rating to full, this film is really powerful... (06/17/2012)