To this day I quote Ray, Colin Farrell, from “In Bruges,” Martin McDonagh’s quick-witted, morally questionable 2008 film. (The line, for inquiring minds, is, “A great day this has turned out to be. I’m suicidal, me mate tries to kill me, me gun gets nicked and we’re still in fucking Bruges.”)
Bringing a bevy of other one-liners amidst the titular, picturesque town of Bruges, Belgium, the picture follows Ray and his partner Ken (Brendan Gleeson) after Ray has botched a job and SPOILER ALERT accidentally murdered a child.
READ MORE: The Essentials: The Five Best Colin Farrell Performances
Their boss Harry (an acerbic Ralph Fiennes) sends the pair to Bruges to lay low (or so they think) while figuring out what happens next. Ken takes in the sites and enjoys the beautiful, antiquated buildings, but Ray can’t escape his own mind and tortures himself in a hysterical-but-melancholy fashion.
The Nerd Writer has created a video essay discussing the morality of the film, questioning the purposes of each character and separating their crises from their reality. They explain that Bruges isn’t just Bruges — it’s purgatory, and the characters roam around aimlessly, awaiting their fate.
Take a look at the video below, and let us know what you think in the comments section. It’s always a good time to re-watch this dark classic.