IN BRUGES  3.5***

Two Irish hit-men Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) are sent by their London mobster Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to Bruges, a medieval Belgium city, around Christmas time for a 2 week R&R  after a botched job in London. Ray, in his first assignment, was sent to murder a priest in a church but he  also accidentally shot  a boy. While Ken enjoys touring the historic city, Ray, who is struggling with an inner conflict over the death of the boy, feels completely bored .Then Ray meet a sexy smalltime drug-dealer Chloë  who sells drugs to the cast and crew of a movie that is being filmed.

“In Bruges" is a dramatic and violent dark comedy. The flawed characters are charming but weird: two hit-men, one of them experiencing an emotional crisis and the other being an eager tourist; a mobster kingpin with a code of principles; a sexy drug-dealer and an American dwarf starring in an Euro-trash movie. These are the lead components of a unique  story highlighted by witty dialog, surprising irony, and unforeseen and quite surprising plot twists including one of the bloodiest and most ethical shootouts ever in  a movie (during last 20 to 30 minutes).

In Bruges is a surprisingly good film with great performances by the two leads and the supporting cast. Colin Farrell manages to be as sympathetic in the dramatic parts as he is charmingly sarcastic in the comedic parts. Brendan Gleeson gives a nicely refined portrayal as Farrell's mentor and friend. Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes channels his scary-as-hell energy into a role  that is frighteningly fun to watch.  

Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use.