In Bruges (18)

Apr 18 2008 By Graham Young

A SERIES of cleverly-spaced advanced screenings has generated plenty of word of mouth on this film.

So what I'll never understand is why other distributors, like Entertainment, won't even press-preview the likes of Pathology on 'piracy' grounds.

The industry's lack of consistency doesn't add up - but at least In Bruges has a fantastic premise.

Hit-men Ken and Ray, respectively played by Brendan Gleeson (The General) and Colin Farrell (Phone Booth) are sent to the Belgian alternative to Venice to await instructions.

Ken likes the feel of history, Ray is bored stiff by Belgium. Period.

There's plenty of quality bickering between the pair as they try to fill in time.

And the anonymity of the Belgian lifestyle is a ripe target for humour - along the lines of why its chocolate really was invented.

So far, so funny. But the mid-section labours uphill in low gear until mastermind Harry (Ralph Fiennes) shows up.

As Frank Bruno would say, he's not HP - and you can be assured this mild-mannered actor off-screen won't be taking any more nonsense than Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast.

Written and directed by Londoner Martin McDonagh (Six Shooter) and cleverly taglined 'Shoot first - sightsee later', In Bruges is a refreshingly different take on the hitmen genre.

The Irish charm of Gleeson and Farrell (desperate for a hit after flaking in Alexander and The New World) will certainly work well during busy weekend screenings.

But who wants to hear the four-letter C-word more than a dozen times?

Such unjustified profanity costs the 107-minute film a deserved fourth star. Some may walk out.