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Movie Review: In Bruges

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Movie Review: In Bruges
“What attitude or attitudes does your chosen film seem to have towards crime? In what ways do filmic techniques such as cinematography, mise-en-scène, sound, And editing contribute to its treatment of crime?”
Films convey elements of society differently in order to make comments on human culture. Within In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh conveys crime with a jovial sense of innocence, but then also projects the darker repercussions of crime (particularly murder) on an individual. This juxtaposition of views is thought provoking, causing the responder to question their own morals. McDonagh uses filmic techniques such as cinematography, mise-en-scene and editing along with well developed characters to contribute to the films messages relevant to crime.

Throughout In Bruges, the audience’s opinion on crime is manipulated through the juxtaposition of treatments of law-breaking. From the start we are introduced to the two main characters as fugitives, whom have recently assassinated a man. Consequently we are guided to make an emotional connection with both of these characters, who are criminals. This is an interesting collision of moral expectations as we usually would not connect with the kinds of people in which In Bruges positions you to unite with. Ray and Ken have both committed horrific acts, although their dialogue resonates their remorse. It’s almost as if Ray has repented his sins (or is prepared to) through his own guilt, as he reveals within his last lines

“There's a Christmas tree somewhere in London with a bunch of presents underneath it that'll never be opened. And I thought, if I survive all of this, I'd go to that house, apologize to the mother there, and accept whatever punishment she chose for me.”

In Bruges displays the reality of crime, good people can do bad things for good reasons and it could be possibly seen as justified. We see Ray is in fact an honourable person, as he feels the repercussions of his accidental murder of an

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