'In Bruges' Essay

The 2008 film 'In Bruges', directed by Martin McDonagh, uses a combination of techniques both in performance and Mise-en-scene that develops character and story. The three main, essential characters Ray (played by Colin Farrell), Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Harry (Ralph Fiennes), make a strong contribution to the story and overall message.

The film is set in the city Bruges, Belgium, in a small village area. The overall feel of the setting is peaceful as their are very few people around and the place is generally quiet. It also has a calming feel as it is very bright and clear, possibly due to the fact that it could be winter or autumn. This is a complete juxtaposition against the genre, as action/thriller films are often set in built-up, popular areas, whereas this takes place somewhere not many people may know about. This gives the film its unique touch and style. The city is also used for comedy as Ray often jokes about being there and not liking it several times.

In the film, Ken talks about the why himself and Ray are in Bruges, he reveals that someone named Harry (who the audience have not met yet) has sent them their to stay quiet and hidden. There are many possible locations that could be used for this but I believe that the film has been chosen to be located here to make the characters and audience feel isolated and inclosed thus keeping the focus on them and the situation. This also gives a feeling of imprisonment as the small village is borderd by rows of houses and tall buildings. Also, this small, confined town makes Ray trapped with his thoughts that increasingly trouble him. As Ray cannot leave, this creates opportunity for his problems to build and stir as he cannot do much in the small town. 

There is also an old fashioned/medieval feel to Bruges as a castle dominates the town centre, and there is use horse and carts along with Cannoes for transport. This then limits things such as the chase between Harry and Ray, as they cannot use vehicles for a typical high speed chase used in many action/shooter films. I feel that this may be due to the film being made with 'film4' who produce more small, British films and who may not have the budget to create a complex car chase unlike large Hollywood movies. 

Interstinly, Rays character does not have an outfit change throughout the whole film, he simply buttons/un-buttons his shirt and takes his jacket off. This indicates a carefree attitude, and shows just how 'normal' and alike he is to any other person, helping them empathise with the character. Ken changes his outfit a few times, but keeps it smart/casual. The character Harry often wears black which gives him a sinister and professional look.I believe his costume helps show his dominance and authority.

Colin Farrell, who plays Ray, is a young (early 30's) white male. Outside of the film, Farrell often has a short beard along with quite long dark hair. For 'In bruges' it does not appear that he has had to change his appearance drastically as he has a small amount of stubble and fairly 'average', trimmed hair. Farrell also keeps his irish accent in the film, I believe that this is significant as it gives the character and film a unique touch, as often films use mainly american or british actors if they are trying to create a popular film. The director may have cast him for the role to bring out the comical side as his strong accent could sound peculiar to some viewers, it also suits is dialogue as he often curses which sounds natural with his accent as it's quite aggressive and fast. 

Colin Farrell's character, Ray, has a very strong personality thats clear from the start. He appears quite immature at the beggining as he complains about being out in Bruges as soon as he arrives, which seems quite childish and impatient. His reluctant, negative attitude towards being in bruges comes across comical at times as it goes against the choice of location, where to whole film takes place, which is ironic. On the surface, Ray appears quite violent and rude, for example; when the tourists approach him to ask about the tower, he says that they're 'a bunch of f*cking elephants' and teases the man by making him chase him in circles. Ray continues to say 'C'mon leave it fatty' which projects his offensive, immature attitude. Throughout the film, Ray is unnecessarily violent with people, such as when he argues with a couple in the Restaurant. He hits the man mid-way through speaking, and also hits a woman, showing his carefree attitude towards violence and his short-tempered personality.

As the film continues, we learn that Ray has committed two murders on his first assassination, one being a priest, and a second an eight year old boy. Use of a flashback shows how Ray mistakenly shoots the child, the graphic, horrific imagery gives a clear indication of how much ray is haunted and disturbed by his past which is continuously revealed in the film. Rays character is extremely depressed and troubled by his past which even causes his attempted suicide. Although he is an assassin, Ray has a conscience which causes him to feel guilty about the murder. In one scene he says "I killed a little boy, he's dead because of me...and i'm trying to get my head around it but I can't, I will always have killed that little boy, and that aint ever going way ever, unless..maybe I go away." Here we see that Ray is contemplating suicide because of the muder, proving that he does feel guilt about what he did. It also gives opportunity for the audience to empathise with him, and question whether he is still a good person of not.

In contrast, the character Ken is fairly different to Ray. The actor Brendan Gleeson, is a white male, around fifty who is also irish. His character is portrayed to be very intelligent and wise as he is interested in the history of Bruges and is seen reading a lot. There is also a scene where the two characters are in a Gallery and Ken explains the religious context behind a painting. This demonstrates his knowledge. Although Ray seems to be very knowledgable on general things, Ken is shown to be more experienced, giving him a fatherly figure. There is also a mysterious side to him after he talks to Harry on the phone, we later find that he has been ordered to kill Ray, questioning Ken's trustworthy being.

Towards the end, Ken makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Ray. After Harry has shot him in the leg and goes to kill Ray, Ken physically drags himself to the top of the building so that he could jump off and get his gun to Ray. Ken has killed himself in order to save Ray, proving his devotion and loyalty to him. I also believe that Ken did this as he feels Ray deserves to live more and that he has the chance to improve his life. There is also the recurring theme of consequences throughout, Ken admits to being a murderer and i feel that he believes he deserves to die due to what he's done.

Although the character Harry isn't very prominent for most of the film, we get a clear indication of his extremely violent, cruel attitude to everyone, even his wife as he calls her an 'Inanimate object'. He also swears an unnatural amount which I feel is an over exaggeration on the bad, 'hit man' type of character. I think that the director has created Harrys character to mock the stereotypical London Gangster seen in many action films. This adds the comedy of the film.

In the end scene, Harry believes that he has shot a child, he then kills himself too. I think that he decided to do this as a punishment for he thinks he has done as earlier in the film he says 'No one kills a child and gets away with it' showing his morals and conscience.