My favorite film from 2008, sorry Dark Knight. A beautiful and artistic masterpiece that explores such themes as guilt, sin, redemption, suicide, honor, and love, Martin McDonagh's In Bruges is a film that I watch at least once a year.
The casting is spot on, with Colin Farrell admirably portraying the guilt stricken Ray, earning him a Golden Globe, and Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes bring grace, humor, and menace as the fatherly Ken and the mob boss Harry, respectively.
Setting is almost a character in and of itself, with the Medieval city of Bruges as an excellent canopy for many of the film's themes. The architecture and ambience of Bruges is seen as both enchanting and menacing, thanks to some wonderful cinematography by Eigil Bryld. The city casts a majestic spell on the audience; its beauty conflicts sharply with the violent events that take place within it, best exemplified in the clocktower scene as Ken looks out at the city before making a fateful decision.
As stated earlier, the city and her medieval heritage underscore the classical themes in the film. Sin, redemption, hell, purgatory are all discussed openly but with restraint by the lead characters as they visit a Church which is said to contain a veil holding Jesus' blood and a museum featuring some Bosch inspired paintings.
Look for more reviews on In Bruges to COME SOON!
I don't know about the movie, but the city of Bruges (or as they spell it, Brugge) is beautiful. I had the opportunity to go there many years ago. I actually saw my first European windmills there rather than in Holland.
ReplyDeletei really liked In Bruges! lol i actually don't remember a whole lot about the movie other than the fact that i really enjoyed. :-p
ReplyDeletep.s. sweet blog P-track
I liked this movie too! Granted, there weren't any gratuitous explosions, but there was some gratuitous Brendan Gleason-splattering.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more posts from you on here!