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In Bruges Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

… shockingly mean-spirited and hilarious … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    67

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    An endlessly surprising, very dark, human comedy, with a plot that cannot be foreseen but only relished.

    Read Full Review

  • 58

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Neither star is sloppy, but both are loose and mellow -- a couple of pros who know they're the whole show.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    Mr. Gleeson, Mr. Farrell and especially the late-arriving and welcome Mr. Fiennes have great fun rummaging around inside Mr. McDonagh's modest bag of tricks.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Carina Chocano

    A dark comedy with a melancholy streak and punchy sense of humor.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Robert Koehler

    Closer to pics like "The Hit" and "Miller's Crossing" than to McDonagh's bristling, funny plays, this half-comic, half-serious account of two Irish hitmen who are sent to the titular Belgian burg to cool their heels after a job is moderately fair as a nutty character study, but overly far-fetched once the action kicks in.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter James Greenberg

    Chock full of wonderful lines delivered by a splendid cast, the film toys with the conventions and mostly transcends the limitations.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Sharply written, superbly acted, funny and even occasionally touching.

    Read Full Review

  • See all In Bruges reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Hitman movie is violent, profane, & provocative.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this violent action dramedy is focused on the relationship between two professional assassins. While their conversations range from darkly comic to philosophical, the film's imagery is incessantly brutal and bloody. Weapons include guns, knives, and fists. A young boy is shot in the head, a man is stabbed, men punch and kick, there's an attempted suicide by gun, a man falls off a tower (graphic images of his crushed body), and heads and limbs are decimated. There's some sexual imagery -- particularly a brief roll on a bed that's interrupted by a jealous, gun-toting boyfriend -- as well as nonstop language (especially "f--k") and strong drug imagery.

  • Families can talk about the violence in the movie. Is it gratuitous? Why or why not? What are the consequences of the assassins' violent acts? What commentary is the movie making on the role of violence in today's culture? Families can also contrast Ray and Ken. What are their differences and similarities? What role do guilt and a sense of remorse play for both men?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: The hitmen are charismatic, but also plainly troubled and confused. The employer is selfish and cruel, but espouses a strict moral code (when someone kills a child, that someone must die). Other characters sell drugs, live dissolute lifestyles, and more.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Hitmen frequently discuss murder. Images (flashbacks as well as present time) show brutal, bloody, loud violence. Weapons include guns, knives, and fists; effects include the decimation of heads and limbs. A young boy is shot in the head (bloody image recurs, haunting the killer); a man falls off a tower, with explicit results. Discussion of suicide, and one man almost shoots himself in the mouth. Finale features repeated shooting, foot chase through city streets, lots of blood, and visible pain.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Brief sex scene between Ray and Chloe (non-explicit passionate roll on bed); Chloe appears in bra and panties. References to hookers (a prostitute appears kissing a client); at a party, couples tongue kiss. Primary couple kisses passionately near the end.

  • language false5

    Language: Lots of language, including 100+ uses of "f--k" and several of "c--t," plus fewer uses of "s--t," (several with "hole," a couple with "horse"), "prick," "a--hole," "hell," and "p---y." Derogatory terms like "poof" and "fag" are also used, and there's heated discussion of racism.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false5

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Frequent smoking and drinking (liquor, beer, wine), in cafes, pubs, and hotel room; several scenes show drug consumption (snorting cocaine); pills discovered in a hiding place; repeated references to drugs (cocaine, heroin).

Fan Reviews provided by

5

HYSTERICAL!!! by TMapou
The movie is as politically incorrect as a movie can get, and the characters seem to curse every other word, so it definitely is not for everyone. Some people will find it funny, and some will come out of it wondering what is wrong with the people who found it funny. I fell into the former camp. I was laughing throughout the movie, and quite hard. If you can appreciate black comedies and extremely politically incorrect humor, I definitely recommend this movie.

5

In Bruges by HKviewer
Fantastic! Great character developemnt and dialogue. I didn't want the movie to end.

5

In Bruges by joycee
Opening night- packed for playwright Martin McDonaugh?s first film, a terrific [nearly] two hours of film making.......perfect drama. Skillfully,McDonaugh presents the human drama, we resonate to. His theater of the absurd, [a la Becket] enables the audience to withstand the violence - this balance, is true genius. Acting - magnificent, as is directing, editing. ?Bruges? is far, better than There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men.In Bruges the human comedy, the human predicament, is all there. Another stroke of McDonaugh genius, is to locate the plot in the historical background of painter, Hieronymus Bosch who, in his inimitable style always fills his works with the frenzied human conditions. Because McDonaugh wants us to have these associations, some of the painter?s works are shown briefly in ?Bruges.? See this film, way before you go to the other 2 American films, which pale in comparison. Irish writers are in a sublime category, all their own.

4

Worthwhile dark comedy by krishva
"In Bruges" is a dark comedy about two hitmen stuck hiding out in Bruges, Belgium, after the younger botches his first hit job. I found it an entertaining film, often funny. I do think enjoying this film requires a certain taste and at least some knowledge of European culture (even if it's secondhand). One thing this film is NOT is a goofy action-comedy like Rush Hour. The humor is often very dark, more in the vein of Coen brothers movies like Fargo. The action is not the main focus of the movie. The fun is in watching these characters trying to blend in and stay out of trouble in Bruges. It's a strangely charming movie if you have the right taste. There is some gory violence in this film, so if you have a weak stomach, you probably shouldn't see it. It also seems that it's not for the easily offended--there is some insensitive dialogue, but it serves to further flesh out the characters.

4

A good meal. by Erikaerika
I normally don't like Collin Farrell, but he did a good job in this movie. It was darkly funny with sufficient action and a little romance. Well balanced, like a good meal. I've recommended it to friends. It's a satisfying movie theater experience. Warning: there's a little gore, so it may not be suited for the faint of heart. It would be a pretty good date movie, if your date isn't lame.

5

In Bruges by luvallmovies
Wow - this move left me haunted. if even anyone deserved an Oscar nomination - this movie shoudl do it for Colin Farrell.

5

in bruge was fantastic by the white attic
this is one of the best movies i have seen in a long time. collin farrell was outstanding. the movie was sharp, quick witted, soulful. it was dark however hilariously realistic at times. loved the "you're an elephant" and "leave it fatty" lines.

5

"In Bruges" Great Surprise by bjsterny
I wasn't expecting much when I sat down to watch this little film I'd never even heard of. Of course I should have known better because some of the best movies these days are the little films no one ever hears of so unfortunately never get to see. "In Bruges" is a perfect example of this. It turned out to be one of the best (and surprisingly funniest) movies I saw all year. Brendan Gleason and Colin Farrell give great performances and create an entertaining odd couple chemistry between them. But Ralph Fiennes comes in halfway through the story and does what he does best; stealing the show by creating another unforgettable and truely enjoyable villian. "In Bruges" doesn't reinvent the wheel or break any new ground in film making, it's simply one of the most entertaining movies I saw all year.

5

AMAZING by simplynikita
I loved this movie, I think people should go and see and and decide for themselves but I think it gave just enough of everything. The first half hour was a little boring and didn't really make too much sense until 'Harry' came into play, then it all made sense and picked up a lot! It was a very good film and I personally think it was Collin Farrell's best performance that I've seen.

4

Rooting for the criminals by DeaconMac
It's odd to find yourself empathizing with murderers, even rooting for them. But the clever writing and masterful acting do the trick in this sometimes bloody, often funny film. Colin Farrell is wonderful as a neophyte hit man who botches his first job by accidentally offing not only the intended target of his hit but an innocent bystander, a little boy. He spends the rest of the film being racked with grief...while he's not trying to bed some foxy lady. There's some pretty graphic blood, but it's not gratuitous. There are lots of funny situations and some moments of true hilarity that relieve the tension. Bottom line: it's a very fine piece of cinema with 3 very accomplished actors and a good supporting cast. And you'll probably decide that a trip to Bruges wouldn't be a half bad idea.

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