In Bruges

Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell star as hitmen Ken and Ray, who have been sent to the Belgian city of Bruges by a powerful crime lord, Harry (Ralph Fiennes). In addition to hiding out from the last job Ray was on, they are to await instructions from Harry for their next assignment. However, the young, mouthy and adventure seeking Ray hates Bruges and wants to spend every minute looking for women and pubs, while the older Ken is quite content to play the role of tourist in this city full of amazing architecture and history.

When the men find out what Harry wants accomplished, can they do it?

When it is a dark comedy full of feisty dialogue and humorous Pulp Fiction-type exchanges, In Bruges is fantastic. Farrell is captivating as the antsy, unfocused man driven by his primal urges who is trying to deal with what he has done, while getting into the funniest confrontations with a colorful cast of adversaries. It is the highest profile role in the movie, and Farrell is able to find the right mix of zaniness and drama throughout.

Unfortunately, In Bruges is not consistent enough. Writer/director Martin McDonagh veers between brilliant moments of hilarity driven by cutting dialogue and great interactions between disparate characters, into more serious thriller and crime story-type material, which isn't as good as the humorous portions of the movie. Worst of all, In Bruges drags on and on when it could have gone for a more satisfying conclusion earlier in the film, and loses momentum when it goes for the dramatic ending.

In Bruges is rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use