Bruges is the capital and largest city of West Flanders in Belgium. The city is known for its historic value as most of its medieval architecture is intact. Bruges is a quiet town that looks as if it's been preserved in a fairy tale. Enter Ray and Ken. In Bruges, theatre writer Martin McDonagh's first feature-length film, is an energetic romp that not only presents the viewer with great characters, but it also offers a tour of a beautiful city.

Ray (Colin Farrell) has just successfully pulled off his first hit, a priest, but he accidentally murdered a little boy in the process. Since killing a child is unacceptable, Ray and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) have been sent to Bruges by their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to hide out and wait for instructions. Though Ken is instantly enraptured by the medieval town, Ray finds it boring, saying, "I grew up in Dublin. Had I grown up on a farm, or was retarded, Bruges might impress me. But I didn't and I'm not, so it doesn't." 

While wandering through the city streets, Ray happens upon a film set where he meets Chloe (Clémence Poésy) and a dwarf named Jimmy (Jordan Prentice). Chloe doesn't turn out to be who she seemed, bringing Eirik (Jérémie Renier), a skinhead pickpocket into the mix. When Harry finally calls and informs Ken that Ray is the next hit, Ken is forced to decide whether or not to obey his boss and eliminate his friend. I won't dare reveal the ending, but the way in which In Bruges brings all of its players together is genius.

The film is a dark comedy, at times bordering on absurdity and at others approaching depressing. From the first scenes, in which we see what Ray has done, we don't know whether to laugh or cry. By the end, we are laughing if only to break the tension. 

In Bruges is some of Colin Farrell's best work in what has sadly become quite a long time. This may be a result of the film's allowing him to just be an Irish lad. Bruges is, in his terms, a "shithole," and though guilty for his crime, he can't wait to return to London. For Ray, everything is a game; he offends a family of large American tourists, is fascinated by midgets, and punches a man and his girlfriend in a restaurant for complaining about cigarette smoke in the smoking section. Farrell transitions from funny to serious almost seamlessly, showing the oceans of guilt that lay within his immature exterior.

Brendan Gleeson's Ken is gruff but sympathetic, and is trying to be as good a person as he can be despite what he's done in the past. While dragging Ray to museums and churches throughout the city, the pair share their thoughts on the afterlife and what their occupation means for their souls. In this way, In Bruges uses the city to develop the characters. The establishing shots play as an homage to the city, presenting us with postcard views of this fairy tale place without feeling like a documentary. 

The views of the quiet tourist town also serve as ironic contrast to the mayhem taking place between all of the characters. A beautiful door opens to reveal an apartment full of guns and ammunition, a 13th-century belfry becomes the site of a heartbreaking suicide, and a peaceful hotel is transformed into the starting grounds for a shoot-out. 

Despite comedic sequences featuring prostitutes and a coked-out midget, or Fiennes' Harry taking out his frustration on his phone, In Bruges takes a dramatic and almost surrealist turn towards the end. As Harry arrives in Bruges to take care of the job himself, the film becomes a string of twists and turns that keeps the viewer guessing. Despite the unexpected ending, In Bruges never disappoints. Surprisingly gory for how funny the film is at the beginning, In Bruges will remind the audience of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Even then, the final deaths occur by choice, showing even hit-men have ethics.

In Bruges, an impressive first feature-length film for McDonagh, shows that there are still fresh ways to tell stories about hit-men. The film is entertaining, thought-provoking, and features an open ending interesting enough to provoke a post-screening discussion. If nothing else, In Bruges may inspire you as you plan your next vacation.