D.C. MOVIE GUYS

Acclaimed playwright Martin McDonagh (“The Pillow Man,” “The Beauty Queen ofLeenane”) asks himself interesting questions before he begins to write. Before beginning the screenplay for his film, “In Bruges,” McDonagh posed this question:what happens to the stray bullets in action film ? That simple question led him-and us-to one of the quirkiest and most entertaining films to arrive in theaters in some time.
Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleason play Ray and Ken, two British hit men. After Ray completes his first assigment, their boss decides things have gotten a bit too hot and sends the pair on holiday to hide out. He sends them to the Flemish city of Bruges, one of the few remaining cities that retains its medieval look to attract tourists.

The quick tempered Ray is hardly impressed with the surroundings, but Ken enjoys exploring the museuns, towers and other sights. When the call they’ve been waiting for from their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes,) it brings some surprising news that turns Ray and Ken’s friendship, as well as the course of the movie, spinning off in different and intriguing directions.

McDonagh, who makes both his screenwriting and directing debut with “In Bruges,” is well know for his ability for bringing together irony, drama and edgy humor. That storytelling trait is put to great effect here. McDonagh keeps audience members on their toes throughout. His characters are three dimensional creations whose actions take turns that defy stereotyping while remaining relastively faithful to the genre’s demands. Viewers will often find themselves moving from laughs to anger to empathy within the same scene.

Farrell and Gleason make a terrific pair of opposities, a kind of “Odd Couple” of hired killers. Farrell turns Ray into a fascinating mix of ignorance, native intelligence and, surprisingly, morals. Gleason’s Ken is a man who takes pride doing his job well, but also knows its
emotional and spiritual toll. Fiennes, nearly unrecognizable with short hair and bad teeth, is both a horror and a scream as Harry, a crime boss with scruples. The supporting cast adds plenty of energy and punch to the film.

“In Bruges” marks the start of what looks to be a promising cinema career for one of theater’s brightest stars. It is certainly a rare splash of color in what has been a bleak winter of discontent for this critic.

MPAA RATING: R for profanity, violence, sexual and drug content.

JOE’S RATING: THREE AND A HALF STARS.