I dragged Geoff to see In Bruge tonight. I'd been trying to see it ever since it was released, and it finally appeared in a theater we could get to in less than an hour. As it was, we were alone in the theater.

Geoff says it started slow;, but I was drawn in right away by the visual interest and the fine acting. I was delighted with Jordan Prentice, who in his haughty characterization was always doing something new and wacky, and Clémence Poésy's mobile, beautiful face was wonderful to watch. Of course I was taken from the first by Colin Ferrill's expressive eyebrows. (Eyebrows to die for!)

I had expected a dark comedy, based on the previews. But it was really much more: the characters changed and showed depth as the action unfolded. (Spoiler warning) The pregnant inn-keeper (I'm not sure who played her), for example, surprised us at the end by her quixotic effort to block the stairs and protect her guest. Harry, the murderous king-pin, surprised me by his adherence to a code of protection of children. But the relationship between Ken and Ray was the real drawing point of the movie. All in all, the acting was a perfect interpretation of a complex script by director-writer Martin McDonogh.

So go see it. I have no idea why it didn't get wider distribution. The story-telling, the acting, the visual effects, and even the sound track are just superb.