I enjoy writing about all sorts really. I love travel and am pregnant at the moment so expect a lot ...
I enjoy writing about all sorts really. I love travel and am pregnant at the moment so expect a lot of baby reviews to come. I also post on Dooyoo under the name Whizz11
Member since:07.09.2007
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Where the bloody hell is Bruges?
In Bruges is a 2008 comedy staring Colin Farrell (phrowaaaa) and Brendan Gleeson. When I read it was a comedy I was interested to see it because I think Colin Farrell is quite funny anyway so I thought it would be quite good,. I didn’t know much about the plot but as it also got an award I had high hopes.
Well, it’s probably best described as a dark comedy. It sort of reminded me of a Lock, Stock type funny film with the same type of London gangster laughs and get-ups. The main themes running through the movie are that are guilt, morality and redemption and it’s done well. In my opinion you do get to see some real emotion from the main stars and that they are really thinking about where they find themselves in their life. I didn’t love this movie though because I thought it was quite slow and not really the most interesting storyline ever.
The basic plot of the movie goes like this. Farrell (Ray) and Gleeson (Ken) are hitmen. Ray’s first job with Ken, his senior, does not go well and he accidently shoots a little boy. Their boss Harry, played by Ralph Fiennes sends them to Bruges to await further instructions. The rest of the movie is then played out in Bruges. Ray is none too happy to be in Bruges, even asking where it is and why anyone would want to be stuck in such an awful place pretty much throughout the film. Ken though quite enjoys it and insists on dragging Ray to all the sightseeing spots. These scenes were quite funny as Ray has no interest and acts like a spoilt teenager. They encounter some tourists from what they think is America (but they turn out to be Canadian) and a very funny exchange ensues.
I didn’t really know anything about Bruges before this movie but seeing it on the screen ahs really made me want to go there. The city is absolutely beautiful, full of old buildings, cobbled streets and a lovely bell tower (quite significant in the movie). Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country. Apparently, according to an article I read it is often referred to as the Venice of the north!
The attractions of Bruges pick up a bit for Ray when he meets Chloe. They go out on a date and when she asks him what he does, completely deadpan he tells her he’s a hitman and she tells him she sells drugs to film crews in the area, no laughing , no disbelief, just acceptance from both of them which was actually a bit weird but funny at the same time.
So the movie carries on and nearer the end all the characters are forced to own up tot heir own actions and consequences in quite a few ways and leaves the ending a bit open ended but I think this was probably the best way to leave this film.
Colin Farrell received a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a comedy for this film and the director and writer won a best screenplay BAFTA. The film was nominated for An Academy award for Best Original Screen play in 2009 but lost to Milk. Overall I did like this movie but it’s not one that I would really watch again as it was a bit slow for me.
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Pat O'Connor - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over - Starring: Geraldine O'Rawe, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
The considerable pleasures ofIn Brugesbegin with its title, which suggests a glumly ... more
self-important art film but actually fits a rattling-good tale of two Irish gangsters "keepin' a low profile" after a murder gone messily wrong. Bruges, the best-preser...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The considerable pleasures ofIn Brugesbegin with its title, which suggests a glumly ... more
self-important art film but actually fits a rattling-good tale of two Irish gangsters "keepin' a low profile" after a murder gone messily wrong. Bruges, the best-preser...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
This stylish black comedy thriller stars Ralph Fiennes as Harry, a vicious London ... more
crime-boss, who send his two hit-men to the picturesque Belgian City of Bruges - To lay low and wait for orders.While Ken (Brendan Theeson) is happy just to sight see!, h...
Advantages: Imaginative story, fantastic dialogue - will make you both laugh and cry! Disadvantages: A bit of a dark film for some - will not cheer you up!
LAURALILIA 12.03.2009 (08.03.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of In Bruges (DVD)