One of the unique contributions movies can bring to an audience is the gift of escape.
Movies help us escape and experience another time, place or story that is vastly different from our daily routines.
"In Bruges" is one of these movies. It takes place almost entirely in the city of Bruges, Belgium.
While I'd like to think I am somewhat worldly, I must admit I never heard of Bruges before this film.
In the film, Harry, a crime boss played by Ralph Fiennes, compares the beauty of the city to a fairly tale.
He's right.
But "In Bruges" is not necessarily a fairy tale.
After a hit job goes wrong, Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) flee to Bruges to hide out for a few weeks under orders from Harry.
Ken, charmed by the city, enjoys the sights and sounds, while Ray remains miserable.
He's a big-city guy and strongly dislikes Bruges.
Ray is craving pubs, women and a good time, and would rather have that than admire the history that Bruges offers to Ken.
Like it or not, Ray is stuck in Bruges.
But writer and director Martin McDonagh comes to Ray's rescue.
He weaves interesting characters for Ray and Ken to meet, including a dwarf, North American tourists, a pregnant innkeeper and a beautiful love interest. McDonagh has a gift for penning smart-aleck comebacks, and although not knee-slappingly funny, they are clever, unexpected and memorable.
In one scene, Ray hits who he believes to be an American tourist and says afterward, "That's for John Lennon."
The film has several such moments.
But throughout Ray and Ken's escapades, an ominous tone lingers.
Ray and Ken are hit men.
Hit men kill people.
So an impending bloody confrontation may wait for our "heroes."
Unfortunately, that's the problem with the picture.
The tone is extremely uneven.
The film is funny, but then suddenly covers very dark topics and turns.
It ended up being the most schizophrenic film I've seen in years.
"Pulp Fiction" handled both humor and violence with a wink and a nod. "In Bruges" did not.
The shift between humor and violence cuts through the screen so suddenly leaving a contrast that feels like two different films.
Even with all of this, "In Bruges" is beautifully shot and smartly written.
Greatness shines both in front and behind the camera.
For those looking for something different — in setting and story — "In Bruges" is worth your time, even if the film's uneven pace stops it short of greatness.
Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu
