Bruges' feelings are hurt

The theme for March Break 2008 seems to be copious amounts of trips to the movie theatres. Today for the first time, I saw two feature films in one day (yes, I paid for both and did not just hop theatres). The first was purely for entertainment value and I don't feel the need to even mention its title on the blog (no, it was not Hannah Montana in 3D). The second was brought to my attention by my hip and happening parents.

Knowing my well-documented love for British comedy and my less-documented love of Irish accents, going to catch In Bruges was a no-brainer. On the other hand, I think it was my first experience seeing Colin Farrell as anything other than a land-conquering hero. Has he done many movies like that or was Alexander just incredibly long?

The film is about two hitmen who are forced to hide out in Bruges (surprise!) after a botched job while they await further instructions. Colin Farrell is actually awesome at playing a childish, tortured, narcissistic man whose sole purpose seems to be insulting Belgium ("If I'd grown up on a farm and was retarded, Bruges might impress me, but I didn't, so it doesn't."), Leffe ("One gay beer please."), all races, and - oh yes - midgets.

The film has some absolutely outrageously funny lines and gratuitous use of the "C" word mixed throughout very dark killings to make for one of the blackest comedies I've ever seen. Funny but not for the faint of heart.

It's important to note that this cannot be compared to Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz. It's much more serious overall and quite grim. However, still laughed a lot and was pleased to see such a non-conventional film (by North American standards, of course) to make a rainy day much more entertaining.