Syracuse: "Playwright's 'Bruges' a fine film debut"

Source: Syracuse

Friday, February 22, 2008

JOAN E. VADEBONCOEUR

ENTERTAINMENT COLUMNIST

 

Ken is a burly, middle-aged man who is content with his job - killing people. Ray is a young, hotheaded guy in search of excitement outside of his job - killing people. They have been exiled by their boss, Harry, sent into hiding for a job gone disastrously wrong.

They are the odd-couple hit men who make "In Bruges" tick like a bomb, played to perfection by Brendan Gleeson (Ken) and Colin Farrell (Ray) in the film that marks the feature-film directing debut of playwright Martin McDonagh.

Admirers of McDonagh's plays, such as "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," which Syracuse Stage presented recently, will revel in his film writing. But the bloody violence and the constant foul language obscures for many others any possibility of enjoying the film.

Ken finds the medieval Belgian city of Bruges to his taste, savoring the sights and the rest time until the next job. Ray is bored and uses his time to find a woman, drink and insult people. Yet he remains haunted by how he botched the job.

When the next job comes, it's a shock to Ken as he gets the assignment in a phone call from his boss. How it plays out cannot be revealed, but it involves the boss coming to Bruges to finish it.

Also involved are a pretty blonde who is more than she seems, a man with whom Ray tangles and suffers mightily for it, and a dwarf-actor with rebel leanings.

McDonagh's trademark over-the-top humor runs through the story, capped off when Ken concocts a tale about why Ray doesn't come to the phone to talk to Harry. The ruse is complete with a phony conversation with Ray, who is allegedly in the bathroom, and the sound of doors opening and closing.

The writer has created juicy roles for Gleeson and Farrell. The former has the opportunity he never receives from his Hollywood flicks - a leading part that shows how fine an actor he is. Farrell reminds moviegoers that he really can act. His Ray has ticks, notably when, in times of extreme stress, he sticks three fingers in his mouth as a child would.

Ralph Fiennes, as the boss, is challenged with a role that makes him a truly despicable character. The star never flinches from making Harry, a raving maniac and vulgarian whose only admirable trait is his love for his children.

McDonagh's debut is assured, displaying knowledge of how to tell the tale and using the camera to enhance his cast's work.