Film: “In Bruges” (2008) starring Colin Farrell

A visit to Bruges should include 11th-century churches and picturesque canals. It shouldn’t include two hitmen on the lam from a bungled robbery in the UK.

But why expect anything conventional from Martin McDonough, the brilliant writer-director behind “In Bruges,” a black comedy set in one of everybody’s favorite European cities.

Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) play the thuggish odd couple to a fare-thee-well. While hiding out in Bruges, Ken is eager to explore every cultural nook and cranny of the medieval city, while Ray couldn’t care less. “If I was retarded and grew up on a farm, maybe I’d like it. But since I’m not and I didn’t, I don’t,” he says.

So what’s Ray interested in besides getting pissed at the local pub? Chloe (Clemence Poesy), a gorgeous young Belgian who’s working on a film in Bruges. The movie-within-a-movie features a dwarf (Jordan Prentice) a temperamental actor who hates being called "midget" but who does like hiring prostitutes after the day’s shoot.

One night, Ray asks Chloe out for dinner and gets into a row with someone at a neighboring table. He goes back to her apartment and is confronted with her skinhead ex-boyfriend Eirik (Jeremie Reiner). Meanwhile, back at the hotel Ken gets an unpleasant assignment from his gangster boss in London (Ralph Fiennes).

All these subplots culminate in an ending that at first blush seems farfetched but in light of what’s currently happening in America’s schools and C-stores, it’s strangely prescient.

Farrell (with his thick expressive eyebrows) is brilliant as the bad boy with a conscience, Gleeson complements him perfectly as the gangster who’s prefer to read Steinbeck than kill somebody, and Fiennes is terrific as the mob boss who'd rather spend Christmas with his family than hunt down a gang of criminals who can’t shoot straight.

“In Bruges” is extremely violent and in a few early scenes, very funny as well. If nothing else, it will acquaint you with a city that may be on your bucket list. And although I visited over 20 years ago, after this movie (shot on location), I cannot wait to go back. As you know, Belgium mussels are slay. Oops.