Before we get into the meat of this, let me say that I am judging these films based on...
1) How good they were as films, including the directing, acting, writing, cinematography, and score etc.
2) How much I enjoyed them. For example, while The Reader is nominated in many categories at the major award shows this year, I simply did not enjoy it that much, and thus it did not make the cut for my top ten films of 2008. This list is based mostly on what films were my favorites, not necessarily always on how good they were as films. Keep that in mind.
Now then, on to the reviews, beginning with number 10.
The tenth best movie of the year is...........
IN BRUGES
Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrel, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes
In Bruges is a movie of stark contrasts. Everything from the setting, to the characters, to the dialogue between them echoes a recurring theme of contrast. In addition, the audience should have a strongly contrasting reaction to the film. On the one hand, it’s a witty shoot ‘em up that is slightly reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s English gangster catalog. On the other hand, it is a powerful and emotional study of guilt, penance, morality, and friendship.
In the film, two hit men are sent to a small Belgium town called Bruges where they await their next orders while sightseeing. They are Ray, played by Farrel, and Ken, played by Gleeson. Ray is new to this game of killing for money, having botched his first job in such a horrific manner that he is still an emotional wreck. He is portrayed as somewhat of a spoiled child, and at times during the movie he scuffs his feet and pouts. Much of his dialogue, especially early on, is made up of primarily whining. Ken, on the other hand, is a laid back professional with a love for history who is determined to enjoy himself in Bruges despite Ray’s misgivings. When the orders finally come in from boss Harry, played fiendishly well by Ralph Fiennes, the story picks up pace and many dark secrets are revealed.
What struck me most about the film is the fluctuating feelings I had while watching it. One minute I’d be grinning at the foul mouthed, accented arguments between Ray and Ken, and the next minute I’d be horrified speechless by a scene of violence so fraught with meaning and emotion that I had to pause the film for a second and consider what I had just seen. As I said earlier, contrast is a recurring theme in the film. Ray and Ken are an odd couple, one likable and polite, the other childish and abrasive. The titular setting, a small medieval hamlet built on a thriving tourism industry, sits in stark contrast to a plot usually seen taking place in a larger city. The plot itself is a wicked combination of criminal comedy and disturbingly dark morality tale that pulls the audience in so many directions that one person’s reactions at the close of the film may differ with each viewing.
Farrel and Gleeson give an emotion-packed performance, and their chemistry is charming to behold. They have fun with the roles. Farrel especially impressed me with his portrayal of a man wracked with guilt who tries to drown his sorrows in drugs and alcohol, and even romance, while at the same time attempting to mask his emotions with irascible wit and a tough guy attitude. Gleeson is respectable in the back and forth dialogue and downright touching when the pacing slows and he is allowed to hold the scene captive. Ralph Fiennes is scary and humorous, but somehow almost endearing despite being the “villain” of the story. Even Peter Dinklage gives a nice performance as a drug addicted dwarf actor with whom Ray becomes oddly obsessed.
All in all, this film impressed me. It raised the bar for this type of film. For Colin Farrel’s performance and the movie’s stunning combination of humor, emotion, and darkness, In Bruges is awarded tenth best movie of the year.
Check back soon to see which film made number 9!
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