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In Bruges: A Screenplay
After a shooting in London goes hideously wrong, two hitmen, Ray and Ken, are sent to hide out in the strange, Gothic, medieval town of Bruges, Belgium, by their volatile and dangerous boss, Harry Waters.
While awaiting instructions from him as to what to do next, the pair attempt to deal both with their feelings over the botched killing and their differing attitudes towards this curious, otherworldly place they've been dumped in (‘Bruges is a shithole.' ‘Bruges is not a shithole'), until the call from Harry finally comes through, and all three men are enmeshed in a spiral of bloody violence that few will get out of alive.
This jet-black comedy marks the feature-film debut of writer/director Martin McDonagh, award-winning author of such plays as The Beauty Queen of Leenane , The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman , and the film Six Shooter , which won the Academy Award for the Best Live-Action Short Film.
While awaiting instructions from him as to what to do next, the pair attempt to deal both with their feelings over the botched killing and their differing attitudes towards this curious, otherworldly place they've been dumped in (‘Bruges is a shithole.' ‘Bruges is not a shithole'), until the call from Harry finally comes through, and all three men are enmeshed in a spiral of bloody violence that few will get out of alive.
This jet-black comedy marks the feature-film debut of writer/director Martin McDonagh, award-winning author of such plays as The Beauty Queen of Leenane , The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman , and the film Six Shooter , which won the Academy Award for the Best Live-Action Short Film.
96 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2008
About the author
Martin McDonagh
38 books905 followersWhile still in his twenties, the Anglo-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh filled houses in New York and London, was showered with the theatre world's most prestigious accolades, and electrified audiences with his cunningly crafted and outrageous tragicomedies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 24, 2023
one of the GREAT hitman dramadies of, well, ever.
confoundingly written in a few weeks by martin mcdonough, ‘in bruges’ is a raw and hilarious screenplay that became an even better and near-perfect tragicomedy film starring two of our best actors working today.
emotionally clever and endlessly quotable dialogue, gut busting laughs with legit subtext that has a time-delay mechanism on it, so it sneaks up on you like a clandestine operative in the night —- only to then become THE LITERAL text in a gut-wrenching climax with real life-or-death stakes.
and somehow it all adheres to the movies central themes.
what more can you ask for?
oh, and did i mention the dialogue? you’ll be quoting it to your grandkids one day, and they won’t know what you’re talking about. but you will laugh. by yourself. remembering this hilarious and appropriately melancholy movie about two irish hitmen who go to bruges, belgium.
the way the movie can flip its tone on a dime, and have you doubled over with laughter, only to then freeze you in that doubled over position as something else happens immediately after and has you feeling immense empathy for a hotshot hitman / killer — now that is great storytelling.
how this beautiful mf’er was written so fast and still retained all these wonderful and primal layers, is very much beyond me.
one of the great indie movies of all time.
treat yourself.
to the movie or the script.
since both are minor miracles imho.
confoundingly written in a few weeks by martin mcdonough, ‘in bruges’ is a raw and hilarious screenplay that became an even better and near-perfect tragicomedy film starring two of our best actors working today.
emotionally clever and endlessly quotable dialogue, gut busting laughs with legit subtext that has a time-delay mechanism on it, so it sneaks up on you like a clandestine operative in the night —- only to then become THE LITERAL text in a gut-wrenching climax with real life-or-death stakes.
and somehow it all adheres to the movies central themes.
what more can you ask for?
oh, and did i mention the dialogue? you’ll be quoting it to your grandkids one day, and they won’t know what you’re talking about. but you will laugh. by yourself. remembering this hilarious and appropriately melancholy movie about two irish hitmen who go to bruges, belgium.
the way the movie can flip its tone on a dime, and have you doubled over with laughter, only to then freeze you in that doubled over position as something else happens immediately after and has you feeling immense empathy for a hotshot hitman / killer — now that is great storytelling.
how this beautiful mf’er was written so fast and still retained all these wonderful and primal layers, is very much beyond me.
one of the great indie movies of all time.
treat yourself.
to the movie or the script.
since both are minor miracles imho.
February 25, 2018
My Rating: 4.7/5
This is one of my most favorite movies of all time. The screenplay, acting, direction and every thing in this movie is fully fantastic. I can't compare anything to this movie and Now I read the screenplay and man oh man, it is good! You can't stop loving and laughing. You can't stop feeling the emotions and calmness of this one.
I just want to go and visit Bruges (It's in Belgium)
This is one of my most favorite movies of all time. The screenplay, acting, direction and every thing in this movie is fully fantastic. I can't compare anything to this movie and Now I read the screenplay and man oh man, it is good! You can't stop loving and laughing. You can't stop feeling the emotions and calmness of this one.
I just want to go and visit Bruges (It's in Belgium)
July 4, 2021
اخطار :از متن کتاب گذاشتم
وائل خیری میگه :
«هرگز فکر نمیکردم بتوانم با یک قاتل بچه همدردی کنم.»
بعد از جنایت ومکافات،این دومین اثری هست که من، نسبت به یک شخصِ قاتل ،همین حس ترحم رو دارم.
در تحلیل آخر کتاب،نوشتهی وائل خیری،کتاب اینجور معرفی شده :
«در بروژ اثری بدیع است که میان شوخطبعی و درام تعادلی به وجود آورده وتهمایهی لطیفی از فلسفه به ژانر آن افزوده است . . .
شوخ طبعی درخشان شخصیت ها،خوانش فیلم را آسان میکند اما فرای این خندهها ،اثری سرشار از سمبل ها وایده ها به وجود میآورد.
ری وکن مرا به یاد دوشخصیت هنرمندانهی دیگر نویسندهی ایرلندی در انتظار گودو می اندازند.آن دونیز مانند ولادیمیر و استراگون در انتظار چیزی هستند.انتظار شکنجه آور است . .
گناهانی که در زندگی مرتکب شدهاید را تصور کنید وآن را صد برابر کنید.این چیزی است که بر زندگیتان سایه می اندازد،آن را فلج میکند ولذت های هرروزه تان را متوقف میکند . ..
در بروژ اثری است که احساس گناه را بهتر از بسیاری از آثار دیگر نشان میدهد وبه این نکته کاملا واقف است که انسانیت را دوباره در ما زنده میکند و میداند که گناه، انسان را به تاریک ترین نقطه های ذهن میبرد . .»
یه کمدی سیاه که مخاطب رو به خنده وا میداره ولی بعد به درون مایه سیاه پیمیبره.
ما در این اثر ،از ابتدای داستان با دوگانگی روبرو میشیم
دوگانگی که از ابتدا بین دو شخصیت اصلی داستان شروع میشه :
شخصیت ری یک فرد بیقرار
ولی شخصیت کن صبور
ری:بروژ عجب جای گندیه .
کن :بروژ جای گندی نیست.
.
.
یا اینجا
کن :نمیای بالا؟
ری:اون بالا چخبره؟
کن:منظره.
ری:منظرهی کجا؟این پایین،اینجا؟میتونم از همین پایین اینجا رو ببینم.
کن :تو بدترین توریست توکل دنیایی.
به مسئله دین هم اشاراتی داره
مثل زمانی که نقاشی های «داوری کمبوجیه» , تابلوی «مرگ استخوانی می آید تا طلبش را بگیرد» و تابلوی «روز قیامتِ» بوش آوورده میشه.
از متن:
«برزخ.برزخ هم یه جای حد فاصلِ.مثل تاتنهام.تو خیلی آدم گندی نبودی اما خیلی هم خوب نبودی»ص29
«من جوری بزرگ شدم که به چیزای مشخصی اعتقاد داشته باشم»29
«بی خبری خوش خبریه ،نه؟»ص52
«+وای خدای من !میخواستی منو بکشی.
_نه من میخو..تو میخواستی خودتو بکشی!
+خوب..من اجازهشو دارم.
_نه نداری.
+چی؟من اجازه ندارم اونوقت تو داری؟این چه انصافیه؟
ص58
«هری آخرین باقی ماندههای تلفن را با سیم به دیوار میکوبد
ناتالی:هری.
هری:چیه؟
ناتالی:این که یه شیء بیجونه.
هری:تو هم یه شیء بیجونی!
ص64
+موضوع حیثیته.
_خطری که نیست ،هست؟
+وقتی پای حیثیت لعنتی میآد،خطر هم پیش میآد!ص 65
« . . تو یه کثافتی .درحال حاضرم یه کثافتی،همیشه هم یه کثافت بودی،وتنها چیزی که تغییر میکنه اینه که تو کثافت گندهتری بشی و شاید چندتا بچه کثافت دیگه هم پس بیاندازی»ص71
فیلم در بروژ هم به کارگردانی خود مکدونا در سال 2008ساخته شده که فیلمی است به غایت دیدنی وجذاب.
[از بابت چاپ کتاب،نمیدانم چرا دست روی متن که میکشیدی ،رنگ آن پخش میشد.]
وائل خیری میگه :
«هرگز فکر نمیکردم بتوانم با یک قاتل بچه همدردی کنم.»
بعد از جنایت ومکافات،این دومین اثری هست که من، نسبت به یک شخصِ قاتل ،همین حس ترحم رو دارم.
در تحلیل آخر کتاب،نوشتهی وائل خیری،کتاب اینجور معرفی شده :
«در بروژ اثری بدیع است که میان شوخطبعی و درام تعادلی به وجود آورده وتهمایهی لطیفی از فلسفه به ژانر آن افزوده است . . .
شوخ طبعی درخشان شخصیت ها،خوانش فیلم را آسان میکند اما فرای این خندهها ،اثری سرشار از سمبل ها وایده ها به وجود میآورد.
ری وکن مرا به یاد دوشخصیت هنرمندانهی دیگر نویسندهی ایرلندی در انتظار گودو می اندازند.آن دونیز مانند ولادیمیر و استراگون در انتظار چیزی هستند.انتظار شکنجه آور است . .
گناهانی که در زندگی مرتکب شدهاید را تصور کنید وآن را صد برابر کنید.این چیزی است که بر زندگیتان سایه می اندازد،آن را فلج میکند ولذت های هرروزه تان را متوقف میکند . ..
در بروژ اثری است که احساس گناه را بهتر از بسیاری از آثار دیگر نشان میدهد وبه این نکته کاملا واقف است که انسانیت را دوباره در ما زنده میکند و میداند که گناه، انسان را به تاریک ترین نقطه های ذهن میبرد . .»
یه کمدی سیاه که مخاطب رو به خنده وا میداره ولی بعد به درون مایه سیاه پیمیبره.
ما در این اثر ،از ابتدای داستان با دوگانگی روبرو میشیم
دوگانگی که از ابتدا بین دو شخصیت اصلی داستان شروع میشه :
شخصیت ری یک فرد بیقرار
ولی شخصیت کن صبور
ری:بروژ عجب جای گندیه .
کن :بروژ جای گندی نیست.
.
.
یا اینجا
کن :نمیای بالا؟
ری:اون بالا چخبره؟
کن:منظره.
ری:منظرهی کجا؟این پایین،اینجا؟میتونم از همین پایین اینجا رو ببینم.
کن :تو بدترین توریست توکل دنیایی.
به مسئله دین هم اشاراتی داره
مثل زمانی که نقاشی های «داوری کمبوجیه» , تابلوی «مرگ استخوانی می آید تا طلبش را بگیرد» و تابلوی «روز قیامتِ» بوش آوورده میشه.
از متن:
«برزخ.برزخ هم یه جای حد فاصلِ.مثل تاتنهام.تو خیلی آدم گندی نبودی اما خیلی هم خوب نبودی»ص29
«من جوری بزرگ شدم که به چیزای مشخصی اعتقاد داشته باشم»29
«بی خبری خوش خبریه ،نه؟»ص52
«+وای خدای من !میخواستی منو بکشی.
_نه من میخو..تو میخواستی خودتو بکشی!
+خوب..من اجازهشو دارم.
_نه نداری.
+چی؟من اجازه ندارم اونوقت تو داری؟این چه انصافیه؟
ص58
«هری آخرین باقی ماندههای تلفن را با سیم به دیوار میکوبد
ناتالی:هری.
هری:چیه؟
ناتالی:این که یه شیء بیجونه.
هری:تو هم یه شیء بیجونی!
ص64
+موضوع حیثیته.
_خطری که نیست ،هست؟
+وقتی پای حیثیت لعنتی میآد،خطر هم پیش میآد!ص 65
« . . تو یه کثافتی .درحال حاضرم یه کثافتی،همیشه هم یه کثافت بودی،وتنها چیزی که تغییر میکنه اینه که تو کثافت گندهتری بشی و شاید چندتا بچه کثافت دیگه هم پس بیاندازی»ص71
فیلم در بروژ هم به کارگردانی خود مکدونا در سال 2008ساخته شده که فیلمی است به غایت دیدنی وجذاب.
[از بابت چاپ کتاب،نمیدانم چرا دست روی متن که میکشیدی ،رنگ آن پخش میشد.]
November 11, 2018
کن : نمیدونم، ری. نمیدونم به چی اعتقاد دارم. امم. من جوری بزرگ شدم که به چیزای مشخصی اعتقاد داشته باشم، من با عقاید کاتولیکی بزرگ شدم که کم و بیش بیشترش و گذاشتم کنار...
ری : اونا دیوونهاند، مگه نه؟
کن : اما چیزایی که وقتی بچهای بهت یاد میدن، هیچوقت یادت نمیرن، موافقی؟
#در_بروژ
#مارتین_مک_دونا
اولش فکر کردم یه نمایشنامه الکیه با کلی اسلحه و داستانای ساده. اما خیلی خوب بود. مخصوصا شخصیت دوست داشتنی کِن. فیلمش هم دوست دارم ببینم که کلی جایزه برده :
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (2009)
Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay (2009)
BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay (2009)
British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay (2008)
و نامزد دریافت کلی جایزه دیگه شده که بگذریم.
سه ستاره ای که دادم مقایسه ایه، بخاطر شاهکارهایی که خوندم:)
ری : اونا دیوونهاند، مگه نه؟
کن : اما چیزایی که وقتی بچهای بهت یاد میدن، هیچوقت یادت نمیرن، موافقی؟
#در_بروژ
#مارتین_مک_دونا
اولش فکر کردم یه نمایشنامه الکیه با کلی اسلحه و داستانای ساده. اما خیلی خوب بود. مخصوصا شخصیت دوست داشتنی کِن. فیلمش هم دوست دارم ببینم که کلی جایزه برده :
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (2009)
Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay (2009)
BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay (2009)
British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay (2008)
و نامزد دریافت کلی جایزه دیگه شده که بگذریم.
سه ستاره ای که دادم مقایسه ایه، بخاطر شاهکارهایی که خوندم:)
June 20, 2024
در بروژ فیلم محبوبم از بین کارهای مکدوناست. جنس طنز و کمدی سیاهش بار اولی که تماشا کردم خیلی ناب و جدید بود. انگار تازه فهمیده باشم داستانها میتونن در چنین مسیری هم حرکت کنن. فیلمنامه خوندن کار خوبیه ولی خب کامل نیست، نه تا وقتی که فیلم رو ببینیم. مثل نمایشنامه، نوشته شده تا اجرا بشه. حالا ما خیلی از نمایشها در دسترسمون نیست و گزینهای ندارم ولی در رابطه با فیلم، در بروژ همهجا برای دانلود پیدا میشه. برید و حتماً تماشاش کنید. با دوتا قاتل و درگیریهای ذهنیشون همراه شید و شرمزده شید که چقدر از دارک هیومر خوشتون اومده.
البته جالبه که فیلم و فیلمنامهش تفاوتهایی هم دارن.
شخصاً دوست داشتم دوتا مورد اول توی فیلم هم باشه. سومی رو اما نمیدونم راستش. شاید مال فیلم بهتر باشه.
خلاصه که فیلم رو ببینید حتماً. کلاً با جناب مکدونا آشنا شید اگر هنوز سمت آثارش نرفتید. منم مدتی دیگه نمایشنامههاش رو درو میکنم.
از من نشنیده بگیرید ولی شاید مثلاً احتمالاً یه جایی در نقطهای یه نفر این اثر رو ترجمه کرده باشه و در آینده چاپ بشه و من از الآن پروموتش کرده باشم. هوم؟
May The Winds Rise
البته جالبه که فیلم و فیلمنامهش تفاوتهایی هم دارن.
شخصاً دوست داشتم دوتا مورد اول توی فیلم هم باشه. سومی رو اما نمیدونم راستش. شاید مال فیلم بهتر باشه.
خلاصه که فیلم رو ببینید حتماً. کلاً با جناب مکدونا آشنا شید اگر هنوز سمت آثارش نرفتید. منم مدتی دیگه نمایشنامههاش رو درو میکنم.
not only have you refused to kill the boy, you've even stopped the boy from killing himself. which would've solved my problem, which would've solved your problem, and which, it sounds like, would've solved the boy's problem!
از من نشنیده بگیرید ولی شاید مثلاً احتمالاً یه جایی در نقطهای یه نفر این اثر رو ترجمه کرده باشه و در آینده چاپ بشه و من از الآن پروموتش کرده باشم. هوم؟
May The Winds Rise
June 3, 2014
Two prerequisites before reading the screenplay: 1) you have, of course, had to see the movie first, 2) you have to like dark and vulgar humor. OK, now you can spend a pleasant evening with what turns out to be a thought provoking tale of honor, vengeance, despair, and, yes, morality.
August 25, 2023
شاهکار. اثر محبوبم.
March 6, 2016
In Bruges is one of my favourite films. It has all the black humour and violence of Quentin Tarantino's stylings, but with the addition of real heart and people who are genuinely trying their darndest to be good.
Martin McDonagh often ends up writing the scripts for films that he'll end up directing, which does mean his writing style is quite different to something that you'd expect from spec writer. Also, his background as a play-write means this script reads a lot more like a play than a script - which makes for a considerably more enjoyable reading experience. The descriptions are considerably more poetic and entertaining that the often dry and formulaic instructions in a spec script.
The story is wonderful and tragic. While being tongue-in-cheek is still manages to toy with the pathos of a Shakespeare play. McDonagh is one of my favourite modern storytellers.
Martin McDonagh often ends up writing the scripts for films that he'll end up directing, which does mean his writing style is quite different to something that you'd expect from spec writer. Also, his background as a play-write means this script reads a lot more like a play than a script - which makes for a considerably more enjoyable reading experience. The descriptions are considerably more poetic and entertaining that the often dry and formulaic instructions in a spec script.
The story is wonderful and tragic. While being tongue-in-cheek is still manages to toy with the pathos of a Shakespeare play. McDonagh is one of my favourite modern storytellers.
April 20, 2020
امروز این بروژ رو گذاشتم، فیلمنامهش رو گذاشتم رو زانوهام و با جلو رفتن فیلم ورق زدم. توصیف صحنههارو میخوندم و بعد میدیدم تا بتونم بفهمم چی توی مغز مارتین نابغهی عزیز میگذره. امروز فهمیدم وقتی مینویسه “اشک از گونههایش سرازیر میشود. آن را پاک میکند.” چقدر تفاوت داره با اشکی که سرازیر میشه ولی پاک نمیشه. فیلمنامه رو قبلا هم خونده بودم ولی این تجربه، این رو با هیچچیز عوض نمیکنم.
پینوشت اینکه آخر کتاب چهار صفحه تحلیل نوشتهی وائل خیری داره و به دقت شکوه این نود و دو صفحه رو توضیح میده.
پینوشت اینکه آخر کتاب چهار صفحه تحلیل نوشتهی وائل خیری داره و به دقت شکوه این نود و دو صفحه رو توضیح میده.
August 10, 2025
Review soon!
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June 16, 2022Love how every little plot thread, no matter how mundane, echoes back in some significant way as we work our way through the third act. Really tight writing. And this script is super funny too.
July 16, 2020
A hit goes bad and the 2 hit-men are sent to Bruges (Belgium) to wait out for further instructions from their pissed-off boss. The boss wants the younger one dead and the elder one, well let’s just say he doesn’t want to go through with it!
With characters that deserve no sympathy whatsoever, Martin weaves a laughter riot British gangster script. In a way, this could be called a punk rock, foul mouthed tale on the likes of Pulp Fiction.
Martin explores the situation heavily on Dialogue and towards the end, Action. The script is majestic, hilarious, slick, dirty and respectful of the characters that hardly deserve respect!
In Bruges isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m definitely sipping this tea on a rainy evening on my patio! 😎
With characters that deserve no sympathy whatsoever, Martin weaves a laughter riot British gangster script. In a way, this could be called a punk rock, foul mouthed tale on the likes of Pulp Fiction.
Martin explores the situation heavily on Dialogue and towards the end, Action. The script is majestic, hilarious, slick, dirty and respectful of the characters that hardly deserve respect!
In Bruges isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m definitely sipping this tea on a rainy evening on my patio! 😎
December 25, 2025
Ray, I love whatever is wrong with you.
Ken? You are a friend I’d like to have.
Ken? You are a friend I’d like to have.
June 17, 2018
There's a Christmas tree somewhere in London with a bunch of presents underneath it that'll never be opened. And I thought, if I survive all of this, I'd go to that house, apologize to the mother there, and accept whatever punishment she chose for me. Prison... death... didn't matter. Because at least in prison and at least in death, you know, I wouldn't be in fuckin' Bruges. But then, like a flash, it came to me. And I realized, fuck man, maybe that's what hell is: the entire rest of eternity spent in fuckin' Bruges. And I really really hoped I wouldn't die.
I really really hoped I wouldn't die.
I really really hoped I wouldn't die.
May 31, 2016
Having seen the movie previously, it was interesting to go back and read the screenplay. In this work, McDonagh captures something touching about regret, friendship, and the human desire to do good, simultaneously balancing all the violence and black humor he is know for. At times offensive in its content (as much of McDonagh's work can be), "In Bruges" nevertheless captures the struggles and basic humanity of its characters amidst chaos, poor choices, and hostile surroundings. It is truly funny and truly heartbreaking, and displays all of McDonagh's skill in true form.
November 18, 2010
Just saw McDonagh's play "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" which is an outrageous dark comedy. Also rented his short film "Six Shooter". I think I found my favorite modern writer. The screenplay for "In Bruges" is brilliant too.
December 16, 2016
Читаешь сценарий и убеждаешься в величии фильма
July 27, 2019
A morality tale where Belgian town as purgatory and an Irish hitman as Christ.
McDonagh explores the nature of morality in a postmodern world, a world that puts us in a moral dilemmas everyday making the traditional philosophical moral dilemmas look not that complex. Negotiating the transition from a world founded on divine morality to a world built by human morality, the former lingers like being stuck in a city where the monuments of history tower all around you. not from an absurd prospective as one might expect, but rather through a well constructed story, with archetypal characters and hideous deeds. Ray can't forget his unforgivable transgression, Bruges can't let him do! and the only thing that seem to distract him from his own atrocities is love. It seems that one can doubt anything except cliches! Harry has a rigid inflexible morality sealing his fate, maybe a parallel to religion, Catholicism for particular; another type of inflexible rigid morality. which imagery is everywhere, McDonagh portrays those moralists as the cruelest of all and often happen to be the ones that talk about it the most.
Cynical, multi layered transgressive dark humor, fucked-up, far-out and very, very funny.
McDonagh explores the nature of morality in a postmodern world, a world that puts us in a moral dilemmas everyday making the traditional philosophical moral dilemmas look not that complex. Negotiating the transition from a world founded on divine morality to a world built by human morality, the former lingers like being stuck in a city where the monuments of history tower all around you. not from an absurd prospective as one might expect, but rather through a well constructed story, with archetypal characters and hideous deeds. Ray can't forget his unforgivable transgression, Bruges can't let him do! and the only thing that seem to distract him from his own atrocities is love. It seems that one can doubt anything except cliches! Harry has a rigid inflexible morality sealing his fate, maybe a parallel to religion, Catholicism for particular; another type of inflexible rigid morality. which imagery is everywhere, McDonagh portrays those moralists as the cruelest of all and often happen to be the ones that talk about it the most.
Cynical, multi layered transgressive dark humor, fucked-up, far-out and very, very funny.
January 1, 2023
Confession: I haven't read the book, only watched the movie, but I am compelled to talk with someone about it. None of the reviews I've read talk about Bruges itself, which is a main character. The movie isn't so much a comedy or "dark comedy" as a morality play. Yes, it has funny lines, but be forewarned... it is very violent.
I believe the 2 hitmen were sent to Bruges and not another hideout because the younger one was meant to confront his guilt. Bruges being a medieval city with its churches and Judgment Day art will bring him to repentance before he meets his fate. They're not there for fun or reward or even to take in the town's rich culture. Bruges as no other city will starve them of normal entertainments and put life and death realities in focus. It apparently did that for their head honcho, to a certain extent. He lives by a strict code and expects his "disciples" to do the same.
I don't think I've given anything away, but I advise, if you do watch, to think about the importance of the setting. Also watch for miracles; there's at least one.
I believe the 2 hitmen were sent to Bruges and not another hideout because the younger one was meant to confront his guilt. Bruges being a medieval city with its churches and Judgment Day art will bring him to repentance before he meets his fate. They're not there for fun or reward or even to take in the town's rich culture. Bruges as no other city will starve them of normal entertainments and put life and death realities in focus. It apparently did that for their head honcho, to a certain extent. He lives by a strict code and expects his "disciples" to do the same.
I don't think I've given anything away, but I advise, if you do watch, to think about the importance of the setting. Also watch for miracles; there's at least one.
August 15, 2025
In Bruges, written and directed by Martin McDonagh
In Bruges is a very dark comedy that may remind one of Pulp Fiction, Seven Psychopaths, for, although it is not so violent and there are not that many killings in Bruges, it shares with the aforementioned a somber, outré humor.
The writer- director of this motion picture has been nominated for the academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, the film has received three Golden Globe nominations – for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical – for Brendan Gleeson- and won the Golden Globe in the latter category for the other nominee- Colin Farrell.
Brendan Gleeson is outstanding as Ken, a hit man who has been ordered by his boss, Harry Waters, played by the incredible titan Ralph Fiennes- who reminds the public of his performance in Schindler’s List and proves yet again that he can be the romantic lead, as in The English Patient, the lunatic villain, as here, the comic as in The Budapest Hotel- to travel to Bruges.
Ray aka the Golden globe winner Colin Farrell has made an accidental mistake on his last job, where he went to see this priest, with devilish jest he confesses to a murder and when asked by the pastor who has he killed, the hired gun says – “you, father” and takes his gun out.
Alas, with the dead clergyman, that may or may not have done something to justify in some small percentage the killing, a child of about six is also murdered, hit by one of the bullets destined for the priest.
Ray would suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and guilt, remorse because of his accidental killing of the boy and he is so depressed that he becomes suicidal…if we are to use the jocular tone of the movie, even in regards to serious issues; it is also because he hates Bruges.
Harry has ordered Ken to take Ray to Belgium, following the horrendous blunder and murder of the boy – along with the intended target- and they expect that they will get clarification, perhaps orders to kill someone in this interesting city in continental Europe.
Whereas Ken is enchanted by the medieval town and is of the opinion that it is lucky to be situated in Belgium, where fewer tourists flood in and therefore the charm is better protected, Ray is almost horrified and feels this is as close to hell as one can get.
Ken insists that they take in the great town and do sightseeing, while Ray is more than reluctant and he is wrong, for as they walk along the medieval part, a film is produced there and he has the chance to see a splendid woman that attracts him immensely.
There is also a Lilliputian man, who will part of the plot, to begin with, the very short man is used as a pretext for conversation by the young man who wants something to talk about – and joke- with the gorgeous Chloe aka Clemence Poesy.
Ray mentions some statistics he may have picked up somewhere, talking in politically incorrect terms about midgets – albeit, the very short character will later prove he is a racist, at least under the influence of drugs- and their penchant for definitive acts, he claims that they have suicidal tendencies.
The young woman seems uninterested for a while, but when she departs, she throws in the air a card with her name and telephone number and then two establish a date for the following evening.
When the two hit men return at their hotel, there is an offensive message from the mobster, who has at number one in the note- his annoyance with not finding them in the room, second point- deals with expletives like f*** on the matter of having to call such a lousy hotel, where he cannot leave messages in the rooms, but has to go through the receptionist.
There is a PS – “I am not the receptionist, I own the f****** hotel with my husband”, evidently written by the woman who had to put down the abuse from Charlie the Boss and the Evil party in this feature.
Ken tells Ray about the note and the necessity of being in the room, the next evening, when their superior would call, to which the younger killer retorts that only one needs to be present and mentions he has to meet the resplendent girl he has just met.
To do that, the older hit man imposes the condition that the following day they would observe the program he has in mind, which includes too much culture for the taste of the wild, rebel Ray, who has to take in the Church of the Holy Blood- was it? – where a crusader returned with the blood of Christ, kept in a recipient in the church, which becomes fluid at intervals, when the situation was grave, as a sort of divine warning, if we are to believe that.
Events have been rare in the first part, but they precipitate once Chloe and Ray meet, and they confess to what they do, only it seems in jest to each other, the man punches a neighbor, he is attacked by the partner in crime of the woman he dates, shoots him in the eye, while his friend Ken receives the order to kill the other hit man, for his mistake on the previous job.
In this wild ride we have drugs, the very small man and the prostitute he has brought from Amsterdam, an exchange of insults, sexist and discriminatory remarks, a suicide and murder attempt, the arrival of the despicable Harry and a few confrontations, runs and weird jokes- a few involves Americans and one Canadian, some obese individuals who want to make it to the top of the old tower…all in very unusual and effective mix.
In Bruges is a very dark comedy that may remind one of Pulp Fiction, Seven Psychopaths, for, although it is not so violent and there are not that many killings in Bruges, it shares with the aforementioned a somber, outré humor.
The writer- director of this motion picture has been nominated for the academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, the film has received three Golden Globe nominations – for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical – for Brendan Gleeson- and won the Golden Globe in the latter category for the other nominee- Colin Farrell.
Brendan Gleeson is outstanding as Ken, a hit man who has been ordered by his boss, Harry Waters, played by the incredible titan Ralph Fiennes- who reminds the public of his performance in Schindler’s List and proves yet again that he can be the romantic lead, as in The English Patient, the lunatic villain, as here, the comic as in The Budapest Hotel- to travel to Bruges.
Ray aka the Golden globe winner Colin Farrell has made an accidental mistake on his last job, where he went to see this priest, with devilish jest he confesses to a murder and when asked by the pastor who has he killed, the hired gun says – “you, father” and takes his gun out.
Alas, with the dead clergyman, that may or may not have done something to justify in some small percentage the killing, a child of about six is also murdered, hit by one of the bullets destined for the priest.
Ray would suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and guilt, remorse because of his accidental killing of the boy and he is so depressed that he becomes suicidal…if we are to use the jocular tone of the movie, even in regards to serious issues; it is also because he hates Bruges.
Harry has ordered Ken to take Ray to Belgium, following the horrendous blunder and murder of the boy – along with the intended target- and they expect that they will get clarification, perhaps orders to kill someone in this interesting city in continental Europe.
Whereas Ken is enchanted by the medieval town and is of the opinion that it is lucky to be situated in Belgium, where fewer tourists flood in and therefore the charm is better protected, Ray is almost horrified and feels this is as close to hell as one can get.
Ken insists that they take in the great town and do sightseeing, while Ray is more than reluctant and he is wrong, for as they walk along the medieval part, a film is produced there and he has the chance to see a splendid woman that attracts him immensely.
There is also a Lilliputian man, who will part of the plot, to begin with, the very short man is used as a pretext for conversation by the young man who wants something to talk about – and joke- with the gorgeous Chloe aka Clemence Poesy.
Ray mentions some statistics he may have picked up somewhere, talking in politically incorrect terms about midgets – albeit, the very short character will later prove he is a racist, at least under the influence of drugs- and their penchant for definitive acts, he claims that they have suicidal tendencies.
The young woman seems uninterested for a while, but when she departs, she throws in the air a card with her name and telephone number and then two establish a date for the following evening.
When the two hit men return at their hotel, there is an offensive message from the mobster, who has at number one in the note- his annoyance with not finding them in the room, second point- deals with expletives like f*** on the matter of having to call such a lousy hotel, where he cannot leave messages in the rooms, but has to go through the receptionist.
There is a PS – “I am not the receptionist, I own the f****** hotel with my husband”, evidently written by the woman who had to put down the abuse from Charlie the Boss and the Evil party in this feature.
Ken tells Ray about the note and the necessity of being in the room, the next evening, when their superior would call, to which the younger killer retorts that only one needs to be present and mentions he has to meet the resplendent girl he has just met.
To do that, the older hit man imposes the condition that the following day they would observe the program he has in mind, which includes too much culture for the taste of the wild, rebel Ray, who has to take in the Church of the Holy Blood- was it? – where a crusader returned with the blood of Christ, kept in a recipient in the church, which becomes fluid at intervals, when the situation was grave, as a sort of divine warning, if we are to believe that.
Events have been rare in the first part, but they precipitate once Chloe and Ray meet, and they confess to what they do, only it seems in jest to each other, the man punches a neighbor, he is attacked by the partner in crime of the woman he dates, shoots him in the eye, while his friend Ken receives the order to kill the other hit man, for his mistake on the previous job.
In this wild ride we have drugs, the very small man and the prostitute he has brought from Amsterdam, an exchange of insults, sexist and discriminatory remarks, a suicide and murder attempt, the arrival of the despicable Harry and a few confrontations, runs and weird jokes- a few involves Americans and one Canadian, some obese individuals who want to make it to the top of the old tower…all in very unusual and effective mix.
August 29, 2026
It doesn’t get any better ! It’s amazing to see how a story can develop from the pages to being acted out on the screen, I read this in an afternoon and found myself imagining the scenes from the movie so vividly with thanks to the script. I wonder if this is what it was like for mcdonagh himself ? As a screenplay it’s quite short but flows like nothing I’ve read before. The characters are effortless and that just is cemented by the end of the story
December 26, 2023
This is one of my favourite movies, and as I was on my way to Brugges for a holiday I simply had to read the screenplay! Martin mcDonagh is one of the greatest writer/directors of our time and I really enjoyed this example of slow paced comedy and destination storytelling. Not to mention, fucking hilarious and with the brilliant use of the word 'fucking' throughout.
September 28, 2026
Reading the In Bruges screenplay made me appreciate Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson’s performances even more. I especially loved Harry as a character, and really enjoyed reading the deleted scenes that revealed more of his personality. It’s fascinating to see how much the actors added beyond what was written on the page.
This movie is a masterpiece truly !
This movie is a masterpiece truly !
April 5, 2018
La mezcla perfecta de tragedia con humor negro.
August 18, 2024
One of the greatest ever written.
February 10, 2026
Good script but icky on everything else
March 3, 2026
Fucking loved the fucking movie. Fucking love the fucking screenplay.
March 16, 2026
golly i love martin mcdonagh
March 3, 2022
Well, it's a screenplay, so not much to expect. I love the movie and the book is just exactly the same, with the hilarious humour and great story.
However, I did miss the deleted scenes which are usually in the books, for example Harry's childhood which is an important part of his character.
However, I did miss the deleted scenes which are usually in the books, for example Harry's childhood which is an important part of his character.
July 12, 2014
Pros: Effortless, punchy dialogue, good sense of character, ridiculous and morbid humor, Cons: Probably more satisfying movie than play, Some tired, uncool gags (e.g: Ray mocking and punching heavy Americans because of their weight, insulting a guy by repeatedly and colorfully calling him gay, going on about 'midgets', ugh)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews