'In Bruges:'

"In Bruges" could easily be compared to a "Pulp Fiction" that plays out in Europe. The film is a dark and violent tale of two Irish hit men who, after a botched job, are sent to Bruges in Belgium to lay low and keep out of trouble for a couple of weeks while awaiting further instructions. The film is filled with dark humor and visceral action and will leave you guessing up through the end.

Surrounded by Gothic architecture, canals and cobbled streets, the two hit men try to fill their days living the lives of tourists. Ray (Colin Farrell) is haunted by his bloody mistake in London on his first hit and hates the place, while Ken (Brendan Gleeson) keeps a fatherly eye on Ray's profanely humorous exploits while he finds his mind and soul being expanded by the beauty and serenity of the city.

Director Martin McDonagh is an Irish playwright generally unknown in America.

If you're looking for political correctness, you won't find any of it here. What you will find are jabs at Americans, Belgians, prostitutes, tourists, gays, blacks, whites, fat people and even midgets. As this odd assortment of characters mixes and mingles in the streets of Bruges, the tension builds.

Ray is a miserable clod who makes it clear he's not happy about being in Bruges, but Ken convinces him that their boss Harry has a job for them there and is also allowing them a chance for some sightseeing, none of which improves Ray's mood. Things brighten for Ray when he meets the beautiful local woman Chloe (Clémence Poésy) and scores himself a date, which also goes horribly wrong.

From there things continue on a southward path as Ray and Ken get into all sorts of messes and meet strange characters, all of whom will play a part in the larger picture.

The entire first act is driven by the chemistry between Farrell and Gleeson as they deliver rapid-fire patter that reminds one of McDonagh's background as a playwright, but it makes them as immediately endearing as Vincent and Jules in "Pulp Fiction."

McDonagh's clever script interweaves its small cast of characters into an intricate crime caper that mixes humor, violence and true heartfelt human emotions into a brilliant debut feature. Just when you think you know where things are going, McDonagh throws a sharp curve ball at you and then another and another

For those who think that Tarantino's best work is behind him, the promise of McDonagh's mastery of the crime-comedy genre brings relief. In the mold of "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," "In Bruges" could very well be one of the funniest and most quotable films of the year.