IN BRUGES. Dir Martin McDonagh. 2007

When a film opens with a torrent of f***ing you might suspect a lack of imagination in the scriptwriting. The unseen foul mouthed Londoner is played by Ralph Fiennes as Harry, paymaster or gang boss. He’s sent Ken (admirably played by Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) to Bruges after a botched assassination, so they can hide out and await his instructions. The two are supposedly hit men but lack underlying menace so this may be a light hearted homage to ‘Pulp Fiction.’

Ken patiently tolerates Ray’s nervousness and the two spend time sightseeing. Nothing happens for a time although Ray does meet a girl working on a film set but, once he’s asked her out, she doesn’t work on it anymore which is puzzling. The earlier botched assassination also makes no sense as a small boy would run away or hide if he heard gunshots.

Common sense and continuity flaws aside, there are references to ‘Don’t Look Now’ in the way Bruges is made to look sinister at times around the canals and mediaeval architecture. There’s also a midget.

Contrasted with Gleeson’s dignified calm, Farrell grimaces, twitches and fusses, unable to form a natural facial expression for much of the story.

Lacks pace, tension and meaning although the ending is a redemption or sacrifice of sorts, honour among thieves/killers sort of thing. Funny in places.