Daniel Cann

Ken (Brendan Gleeson) is happy to sight – see whereas the younger fast talking Ray (Colin Farrell) is hating every moment of it. Before long the duo are having hilarious and surreal encounters with tourists, skinheads, dwarves and prostitutes. Ray even finds time for romance with local lovely Chloe (Clemence Poesy). When their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) finally calls the fun times change into a life – and – death struggle culminating in a cat – and – mouse chase through the picturesque cobbled streets.

The films violence is uncompromising and graphic and there are lots of disturbing images, but this is all undercut by fantastic dialogue and comic arguments and observations. Farrell and Gleeson have excellent chemistry together and their comic timing is impeccable, you almost forget who they are and what they are there for. All the players in the film are totally convincing with the strong supporting class lending weight to the proceedings.

The location of Bruges is used to great effect: By day as a comic counterpoint between the quarrelling hit men and at night as an eerie, menacing gothic place with danger lurking in the shadows.

Despite the violence and the dark nature of its subject matter the film is so riveting and suspenseful that the audience will be hooked anyway. It moves at a self-assured pace and I found myself totally drawn into Ken and Ray’s world. It is a cracking yarn that is saying lots of different things and exploring lots of themes, quite simply one of the best, if not the best film of 2008!