Focus Features

I don't care how you pronounce the Belgian city in the title. And I don't care how many prissy film critics complain that playwright-turned-filmmaker Martin McDonagh, 37, doesn't yet know his way around a camera. In Bruges is literate, lively cinema—a bit of all right in a sea of tongue-tied tinseltown garbage. Those who know McDonagh's great Irish plays, such as The Pillowman, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, won't be surprised by his blend of brutality and humor. The setup is simple: Two Irish hitmen, the seasoned Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and the caffeinated Ray (Colin Farrell), have been sent to Bruges by their hotheaded boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to cool off from a job gone wrong in London. Ken finds the medieval town and its tourists serene. Ray finds it a shithole, though a meeting with sexy Chloe (Clémence Poésy) sparks things up.

"Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are the two most entertaining and eccentric hit men since Pulp Fiction.(1) A blend of David Mamet and Alfred Hitchcock.(2) Fantastic. One of my favorite movies so far this year.(1)"

"Nifty. A blend of David Mamet and Alfred Hitchcock. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleason bring an engaging, off-kilter rhythm to their characters, Carter Burwell's score adds a note of elegance to the mayhem. On the whole, In Bruges is as they say in the guidebooks, worth a visit."

"Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson enjoy themselves mightily! Their roles are big, broad, violent and strategically funny."

"Undeniably fun and refreshingly un-P.C.!"

"A devilishly dark comedy. Disarmingly hilarious."

"An entertaining black comedy!"