In Bruges: Morality In Dialogue

[@InFlames20bests]

This movie isn´t even underrated... it is just widely unknown. Actually it is more or less beloved by everone who ever saw it! :)

[@hop-skip-ouch8798]

And everyone I suggest it to avoids it.

[@davidec.4021]

True! I never found anyone that didn’t think it was simply genius

[@wullxz]

I basically force my fellow humans on the movie ^^ My mother kinda liked it except the ending where everything goes south and also the cursing was a bit too much for her. I just love the dialogues very much ^^

[@mitzara25]

True

[@andylindsaytunes]

People seem to use the word underrated a lot when they actually mean underappreciated.

[@polyvinylfilmz]

The ambiguity of Ray's final voice over is similar to the end of Inception, in that wondering whether or not he survived (or if the top fell) is beside the point: he no longer hoped he would die, so it's a happy ending. Throughout the film he has been suicidal due to his guilt. Ken stops him from killing himself, and the film's characters address the irony of doing that when his assignment had been to kill Ray anyway. Harry says that letting him kill himself would have solved all of their problems. Ken, a good(ish) Catholic, disputes this strongly--"it WOULDN'T have solved his [Ray's] problem." If Ray had killed himself, he would automatically have been damned according to Catholic morality. At the end of the film, specifying that he no longer wished to die, was no longer suicidal, implies that he wasn't damned, even if he didn't survive being shot.

[@flyingfshsndwch]

+Polyvinyl Films Bene, the underlying philosophy of this movie is Catholic. My apologies to all those who project some negative experience with a religious person onto all religion. Harry is the superficial, judge-y, catholic with a rigid morality that is his downfall. Ken is the deeper contemporary understanding of catholic morality. Ray is all of us.

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

I disagree. Ray may have decided what he wants, but has the universe decided what he deserves? Have you? In a film so invested in atonement and judgement, I think that whether or not Ray survives is central. Should he die for his sins or should he be given the chance to atone for them?

[@polyvinylfilmz]

That's my point though, that's not a question this movie is concerned with. For most action/thriller type films it would be a question of whether or not the main character survives. In Bruges is only concerned with his soul, that's what makes it a different kind of movie.

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

Polyvinyl Films I see where you're coming from, but I still don't think that him deciding that he wants to live accounts for the entirety of his judgement. Otherwise you lose the sense of ambiguity and the audience's ability to decide what he deserved.

[@Urliamo]

+Qwerty Qwertz you are both correct. Rays' judgment of himself affects our judgment of him.

[@Thedeadjoker666]

I've never seen a movie with such a mixed reaction. I saw it with my family. I laughed, my mother cried, my father fell asleep and my sister was in chock.

[@nicelooser]

Bro that’s actually hilarious xD

[@mikespearwood3914]

chock? is that similar to shock?

[@Thedeadjoker666]

@@mikespearwood3914 Yeah, sorry. I spelled it the Swedish way haha

[@ThePitchblue]

I'm your dad I guess... zzzzzzz...

[@syncaudio2758]

@@Thedeadjoker666 how is Sweden right now, with all the migrants n stuff?

[@collink6118]

One of the most underrated films of the decade

[@samadhoosen6014]

What are other movies you like this much?

[@rushpan93]

Watch any of McDonagh's movies. Six Shooter, Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - I'm just realizing all of these movies start with a number, he must love maths - the guy is a genius filmmaker. Characters and dialogues in his films are unique, maybe across all of cinema history.

[@stugeh]

.

[@THETROMBENIK]

When I watched it, I didn't get what its points were. This video puts it in a better light.

[@UserX860]

underrated by whom ???

[@caswellcaleb]

I've always interpreted the characters as Jesus, Humanity, and Satan: Ken is Jesus, guiding Ray (humanity) and ultimately sacrificing himself for the sake of a second chance, or grace. He's also the one most interested in the religious symbolism surrounding the city. (This one is a stretch, but when he goes up into the tower by himself, you can see an old man with a beard and white hair, who could be a representation for God.) Ray is humanity, given that his behaviour is the largest swath of good and bad and his decisions are often amoral - either mistakes, or too complex to really judge as good or bad (shooting the guy in the eye out of self defence because he was sleeping with this guy's girlfriend who actually likes Ray but is also possibly trying to rip him off, etc.). Also, it's clear through the movie that it's him specifically that's being judged. Harry is Satan, given how he is married to legalistic moralism. If you study theology, Satan isn't so much about promoting cartoonoish evil as he is about sticking to an inflexible moral law that demands punishment, and by following that legalism he ends up getting thrown out of God's presence (since God favoured humanity, offering them grace). In this case, Harry follows his moralism so strictly that under his own law he must kill himself.

[@GreenPanchoVilla]

and his name is Harry, which might be a hint on ralph phiennes' voldemort adaption, which is also to be seen as sataniccc

[@sooz5703]

Brilliant

[@mishkhass.9298]

rip samual l Ok Rip Samual

[@orange70383]

If that interpretation is correct then he doesn't have a very good grasp on what Jesus was all about, that might be right if he obtain all of his religious knowledge by watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special.

[@willherondale6367]

@@orange70383 And you clearly gained your powers of film analysis off the back of a cereal box if you think there is such a thing as a 'right' interpretation of a movie like this

[@bwalker77]

One touch I really loved from that film is at the very end: when Harry is about to shoot himself for killing what he thinks is a child but is actually a very racist dwarf dressed as an elf, Ray tries to stop him. Harry has spent most of the film trying to kill Ray but it never was personal and Ray got that and accepted it fully. It's very rare to see enemies respecting each other that much.

[@SerMattzio]

Also that fantastic last line from Harry: "You have to stick to your principles." Not only is he explaining his death to Ray, it's like in that moment he forgives him. It's almost like he's saying "If you survive this, live a better life."

[@DodderingOldMan]

I had no real idea what to expect from this film, but it really surprised the hell out of me. It's one of the best, most striking films I've ever seen.

[@KrullJohn]

I felt the same way. Felt the same with Kingsmen too.

[@jeetshannigrahi5315]

Ken died. 😢😢

[@SMShoaibBD]

Same. In a cold night of 2012, I couldn't sleep. So, started watching it at 4 in the morning. And after watching it, couldn't sleep for the rest of the week :P It was that powerful.

[@eddy4688]

There was a DVD of it hanging around the place I lived back in the day, it took me yonks & being very very bored one evening to think sod it let's give it a go, it was a big surprise it being so good.

[@KodieTheAussieBrony94]

Couldn't agree more

[@naufrage0]

"You're an Inanimate fucking object!"

[@Nerdwriter1]

+pSmall360 I'm truly sorry I couldn't find a way to get this line in there.

[@naufrage0]

Haha, that's alright. This way it doesn't spoil one of the many quotable moments in the film for those who haven't seen it. Thank you for the great video as always.

[@OrionCallisto]

+pSmall360 Sorry for the length, but this whole exchange kills me. I love this film. Besides how wonderful and well directed the film is, it is genuinely hilarious. "Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf. I think I'm heading home." Jimmy: There's gonna be a war, man. I can see it. There's gonna be a war between the blacks and between the whites. You ain't even gonna need a uniform no more. This ain't gonna be a war where you pick your side. Your side's already picked for you. Ray: And I know whose side I'm fighting on. I'm fighting with the blacks. The whites are gonna get their heads kicked in! Jimmy: You don't decide this shit, man. Your side's already picked for you. Ray: Well, who are the half-castes gonna fight with? Jimmy: The blacks, man. That's obvious. Ray: What about the Pakistanis? Jimmy: The blacks. Ray: What about... Think of a hard one. What about the Vietnamese? Jimmy: The blacks! Ray: Well, I'm definitely fighting with the blacks if they've got the Vietnamese. [pause] Ray: So, hang on. Would all of the white midgets in the world be fighting against all the black midgets in the world? Jimmy: Yeah. Ray: That would make a good film! Jimmy: You don't know how much shit I've had to take off of black midgets, man.

[@naufrage0]

I went and re-watched this film after this video and that exact exchange killed me. I was on my side crying. The dialogue in this film is bonkers. Ray really likes the vietnamese.

[@OrionCallisto]

Especially when he keeps bringing the Vietnamese up at that restaurant before he punches that poor guy and his girlfriend out. I am shocked this film doesn't come up very often, it hits that same sweet spot of dark comedy and drama that the better Tarantino flicks hit. More complex, yes, but it is enjoyable on many levels.

[@ernestoA2]

It's an inanimate fucking object! - You're an inanimate fucking object!

[@shivzzi]

+Ernesto Van de Merve love Ralph Fiennes!

[@locomotion539]

Best line ever

[@kyledolor5257]

Look I'm sorry for calling you an inanimate object.. I was upset.

[@brewster99]

Don't wanna play Nerfighter here, but I think this scene was to show that although Ralphs character had this strong code of ethics, he isn't perfect, and sometimes steps outside that. When he shouts at his wife, he quickly realises that he was in the wrong, and makes up for it, tries to stick to his code, by aologising. Its impressive that this scene can so easily serve both a humorous purpose, yet is one that speaks so much of its character's traits.

[@mrbrunch2726]

Dumbledore said calmly*

[@persieprince9345]

Colin Farrell gives one of the most underrated performances of all time

[@faherty87]

He sadness when the 'midget' doesn't wave back at him deserves an oscar

[@quiquenet1756]

it´s not. he won the golden globe

[@reaper411b]

and one of the few where he plays his native Irish lol

[@jacksdjfam]

Well he won a golden globe for it so hardly underrated. It’s just unfortunately not that well known of a film

[@HappyLou13]

he breaks my heart

[@mankytoes]

Amazing film, and on rewatches it must be one of the tightest scripts ever filmed. Almost every line is either a foreshadowing or referencing something that has already happened, or has a hidden double meaning.

[@s3ts]

"What's a lollipop man doing on facking karate?!"

[@amrhany3334]

I love you for making this. I'm only 17, and watched In Bruges not that long ago, but I think it may have been one of the first real "films" I ever watched, if you know what I mean. I'd always been an avid movie watcher, but I remember this movie coming to an end and feeling something new. This... just being left to wonder. My religious upbringing and personal morality seemed to be struggling, together and despite each other, to make sense of what had happened, to maybe assign labels of "right" and "wrong" to the actions of the characters. The failure to do so, the strange loops I was lost in, the paradoxes I encountered, but, at the time, couldn't yet articulate... man. The movie is a slow burn, and you just made me want to watch it again.

[@BilboB]

This video is like a fucking fairytale or something.

[@Nerdwriter1]

+BilboB Hahahahaha yes

[@thinman25]

Feels like I'm in a dream, watching this.

[@Hex72]

+BilboB +Nerdwriter1 You two are weird. Would you like some cocaine?

[@satoshinakamoto5710]

+ADDMcGee25 Understanding Art, Case Study: Nerdwriter1

[@evening_kovacs]

+Hexus Or alcoves. Is that right, alcoves?

[@gillyobaggin]

In Bruges is what every author wants his book to be. The images it creates and the story it tells, is exactly at least how I want my stories to read in the head of the reader. the dialogue, the morality, the mystical, the humanism all combine brilliantly in this film.

[@GcScribbler]

In Bruges is also a pastiche...homage...nod of the head to The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter. Absurdist play about two hit met waiting for instructions, slowly find out one has botched a job, the other is there to kill him.

[@Jamesmax22]

Hmm, didn't know that. Thanks

[@ComradeLeonTrotsky]

You speak English very well

[@motioneccentrica]

Whoa, I had no idea. Thanks for that insight.

[@marichristian1072]

Also repetition of dialogue is essentially Pinteresque. What an incredible piece of film making! Stunning.

[@shourigomatham]

I got to perform The Dumb Waiter this year for our HS One-Act Shorts. It was an incredible experience. I loved the show so much. While watching this, I started making those connections to Pinter’s Dumb Waiter. When I read about it afterwards, I was thrilled. It’s genius!

[@Lucols4]

I love this movie

[@Ferraridude13]

+Lucas Garibaldi so wonderful

[@callum4450]

+Lucas Garibaldi One of the best movies in the past 10 years, and one of the best dark comedies of all time.

[@airmanfair]

+Lucas Garibaldi I scrolled down to write "I love this movie" in the comment section and saw what you wrote as top comment.

[@Pow3llMorgan]

+Lucas Garibaldi How the fuck can swans not be somebody's fucking thing?

[@phall88]

+Lucas Garibaldi back in the days in my days working at a blockbusters esk store, i recommended this to a older gentleman who was going up to his cottage with his teenage sons and wife. the next week he gave me an ear full telling me it was one of the worse movies he ever saw :(

[@Jack-gu4fc]

I never realized that the boy's sins mirror Ray's. Holy shit.

[@MoogleSan]

I think he's reaching a bit with that point.

[@vividhkothari1]

Yeah, because who isn't moody, sad, or bad at maths?

[@TheJubjubbub]

@@MoogleSan i agree, the boys "sins" were just to show how he had no sins, and was innocent.

[@nitehunter91]

The Death of Innocence

[@chrisshepherd7021]

@@MoogleSan +1

[@chairsmissing]

Ray's penultimate line, "cause at least in death or in prison, y'know, I wouldn't be in fuckin' Bruges!" had me in stitches the first time I saw this fantastic film. Very underrated line that sums up the character quite brilliantly imho.

[@darshjoshi1641]

The music in this film is outstanding.

[@cinemanuggets24]

In any other movie, it would have been talked about a lot. But this is a movie where there is praise in every department. By the time u realise that the music is amazing, u have almost ran out of praise words

[@bZman]

@@cinemanuggets24exactly. I have told every friend and family member about this film ever since i saw it back when it first released. Not everyone likes it as it is a very dark and thoughtful film, but those who do love it as much as i do

[@emilymiller8251]

About judgement, there's a line from when Ken and Ray first arrive, Ray describes Bruges as a "shithole" but Ken tells him to "reserve judgement". This could be considered a pretty stark contrast to Harry with his rigid morality. But moving back to the religious symbology, when Ken and Ray first arrive to their hotel they're told they have one room booked instead of two, when Ray complains the owner of the hotel (a pregnant woman who says she co-owns to hotel with her husband who is never shown in on screen) tells him everywhere in town is booked up due to the holiday travel (Christmas). At one point in the film Harry says he wants Ray "crucified". Okay so I'm just going to get on with it, Ray represents mankind, Ken represents Jesus, Harry can represent God and Satan in equal parts (but essentially some kind of higher authority). Ray represents mankind in all of its messiness and moral ambiguity, Ken represents Jesus in his self sacrifice in order for Ray to live in the hopes he will change for the better. Thank you for listening.

[@StillGotShit4Brains]

Holy fucking Jesus (pun not intended). I've seen this move more times than I've breathed and that is an amazingly good observation/interpretation.

[@juanpinol6813]

Mind blowing catch! Well done!

[@whistlingbanshee5038]

Very clever viewpoint, completely agree 😊

[@es_for1]

pretty good

[@sachinrk1]

That's a brilliant analysis.....

[@overlookers]

I'd love to see an analysis of Seven Psychopaths

[@okmogi]

Pirates, mermaid and witch is where I paused from the manga. Albeit 2 years. How about you.

[@ninjaboyvinny101]

+okmogi I think +overlookers is talking about the American-made sleeper hit also starring Colin Farrell alongside Christopher Walken

[@overlookers]

+okmogi I got up to the little girl Apostle

[@okmogi]

+overlookers nice and how fun to read it with fresh eyes. and be patient when you reach the newest chapters.

[@03raq]

+overlookers haha wow I just this one yesterday, i'd love to see one too!

[@ashamberfilms]

Great video essay of one of my favourite films. I will note, however, that the repetition of phrases used by McDonagh is just something us Irish people do in everyday conversation. The "Vietnamese" exchange is the most obvious example of this - Ray repeats "The Vietnamese!" as if that will somehow clue the Canadian man into what he missed the first time around. It's just an odd Irish mannerism, and I don't think there's much more to it than that.

[@Urliamo]

+Cian Gaffney you just said it yourself - "somehow clue the Canadian man into what he missed the first time around." so you could assume the director would use it to clue you into what you may have missed the first time around.

[@samadhoosen6014]

What are other movies you like this much?

[@Personnoname114]

I dont really understand why he said vietnamese?

[@reeko4390]

@@Personnoname114 because the vietnamese suffered due to americas arrogance

[@m.m.1301]

@@Personnoname114 Because he is (righfully) sympathetic with the Vietnamese and resents the yanks for invading Vietnam

[@darkazer451]

i go to school in Bruges and i get to leave every day.

[@BilboB]

+darkazer451 so you basically leave purgatory every day?

[@buddha1234able]

+darkazer451 if you leave bruges everyday then you havent really left bruges

[@mankytoes]

+darkazer451 But you always return...

[@Brutal_Warlord]

+darkazer451 Brugge begint meer en mee te lijken op het vagevuur door het rotweer van de voorbije weken.

[@skibidiacab]

Same

[@abhinavtiku4501]

'In Bruges' is still McDonagh's best film to date.

[@marichristian1072]

Yes!

[@TheLYagAmi]

Watch the guard

[@declanconlon1127]

@@TheLYagAmi that’s his brothers film

[@bZman]

The Banshees of Inisherin is a CLOSE second, not as humorous but equally moving

[@elcinequenovemos7851]

One of the best movies of the last decade.

[@anachronologist2017]

I've seen In Bruges 5 times & I've seen this video 3 times. Even now, I am still experiencing new things about BOTH of these things. So credit to Martin McDonagh for making an amazing movie, and thank you for this amazing dissection of my favorite film.

[@lifenoggin]

In love with this video! :D

[@marcegger7411]

+Life Noggin How can you watch it if your are just pixels?

[@meadow210]

I was pleasantly surprised to find someone did a video essay analyzing In Bruges. It is one my favorite dark, cerebral comedies and I've watched it multiple times.I don’t think I could put into words, the way in which you have done, the underlying, or perhaps not so underlying, content which puts the film into a category much more suited to it than pure 'dark, cerebral comedy’. I always seem to come away after watching the movie uneasy, however, to note, in a satisfying way. I enjoy watching your film essays (especially the one for In the Mood for Love). Thank you for your great work!

[@bobpolo2964]

That was really good, bro. The brevity of the execution really worked well with the thematic analysis of the film. My only problem, and it's very small, is your tendency for that last line delivery you've grown accustomed to doing. Looking back on your videos from years ago, it's pretty clear you tightened up your delivery by slowing down your speech and using more accessible terms for the audience. But the slow word by word delivery of your last line was cool at first because you were discovering new ways to make a conclusion and combining it with music. Brilliant! and simple. But now it's starting to grow weary because of the anticipation of it. It's more of a gimmick than a hook, and to be honest with you, you're way better than someone who needs gimmicks. Your work is substantial. Keep evolving, bro. Don't settle just yet. Keep growing.

[@Zippish]

My heart stopped when I saw this in my feed. In Bruges is my all time favorite movie and Bruges is a wonderful city. Thank you.

[@davidmsirois]

This is one of my favorite films of all time... and one of those I can watch often and never get sick of... so glad you made this video as a companion piece to such a brilliant film.

[@NicoJansevanRensburg]

I rarely see such great content produced so consistently. Certainly Patreon worthy.

[@Rodent588]

(spoilers I guess) I think that last line of narration is also extremely noteworthy as well because, for the entirety of the movie up to that point, Ray not only talks openly and contemplates committing suicide for what he's done but also attempts it only to be stopped by Ken. Then, in a turn of events, Ken himself ends up committing suicide off the tower in an attempt to reach Ray first and warn him about Harry. I feel as though, even the movie is centered around Ray, it's actually about Ken. Deep down, he had to have known the outcome of taking Ray to Bruges. At the very least, he had a good gut feeling about it. I think taking Ray sightseeing was not only an attempt to give Ray one more good memory before he died, but also himself. Whether he'd gone through with it or not, he could always look back on the good time he and his friend had spent together there. On the same note, trying to give Ray that good time was a way to fight his own guilt as he was the one who brought Ray into the hitman scene in the first place. Perhaps, in that, he blamed himself for the death of the child hence why he felt putting Ray on that train to give him a second chance at life and choosing not to fight Harry and accepting whatever punishment Harry was going to dish out was a good idea. With Ray gone and Ken taking all the blame, maybe he thought his own death by Harry was a way to give Ray that forgiveness he so desperately needed, bringing it back around to the religious aspect in some ways. Same as letting Ray go on the date with Chloe while he waits for Harry's call. He was predicting the outcome of the trip and keeping Ray happy while he fought with himself over the decision he would inevitably have to make. Obviously he couldn't know exactly how it all could have played out, especially Ray's being forced back to Bruges, but I still think he always blamed himself and, while he could have just as easily got on the train with Ray, he knew Harry would keep looking for them and his choice to accept the punishment in Rays place was the only way it was going to end. The open endedness of the film was an absolute genius move, leaving its interpretation up to the viewer. I think the end bit of dialogue between Harry and Ray as well was great. Harry ended up accidentally killing Jimmy in the same way that Ray killed the child. Not knowing it was Jimmy and thinking it was a child, he was forced to take his own life and make good on the very specific exact words he said to Ken. Not only that, but Ray even attempted to stop him and tell him it wasn't a child even though Harry had just done him in. I think that part in particular also speaks volumes about Ray and maybe even could trace back to the scene in the park where Ken tells him to "save the next one". Any way you put it, this movie is a must watch for anyone who hasn't seen it.

[@donalcorrigan6362]

Huge respect for appreciating Irish film making ,it's really underrated! If you like In Bruges then you'd really like his brother's film 'Calvary'

[@har1292]

One of the most Underrated movies and one of the most underrated nerdwriter videos of all time

[@renel8964]

6:08 "they're filming midgets!" *scampers off. 🤣🤣🤣

[@numerousfrogsinacoat607]

When j decided to watch this movie, I thought it was a dark comedy. It was so much deeper, emotional, and dramatic than I was expecting. It’s such a great movie, totally different than what I was expecting, but no complaints at all from me.

[@lilben4184]

ok but, like 41% tho

[@phipsi3287]

Andrei Tarkovsky's 'Stalker' would provide loads of material for a great case study.

[@arneadamaelterman8850]

I really love this film, on different levels. Maybe it's because I'm Belgian. Even though the film is strong enough on itself, it's the city that makes it magical. If you ever would go here, I'd be happy to show you around! Wonderful analysis, as always. Thank you for that.

[@philjdickinson]

Saw In Bruges for the first time last weekend and absolutely loved it. The thing I liked about it most was that, whilst also hilariously funny, a lot of the jokes worked on many levels in revealing the themes of the film and the morality of the characters. The humour and the morality are so impressively woven together that the film gets funnier as you progress with the characters. A real masterpiece.

[@RonaldReaganRocks1]

"In Bruges" exists somewhere between Tarantino and Guy Ritchie.

[@774CISCO]

guy ritchie i get , not trarantino as much!

[@marstonsneddon8692]

I'm thinking guy Ritchie and edgar Wright (for the comedy aspect)

[@linusdn2777]

My three favourite directors

[@willherondale6367]

@@774CISCO the dialogue i think

[@manufernandez6825]

McDonagh himself said he is being influenced by Tarantino's movies.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

As an actual graduate from film school, I applaud your content. Your pacing and voice is up there, at the top, that I would want to listen to while I was watching a movie. As you know, that's all we do in film school is talk over the movie, because we know how to rewind. Your voice is golden. You have something to say and you have a nice way of saying it. Good job as usual.

[@01rai01]

This is one of my favourite films ever.

[@Kaze919]

One of my favorite movies. The juxtaposition between the trailer and the actual film shows how hard it is to sell a dark comedy.

[@MysterE95]

In Bruges is my number one favorite movie. I want to know more movies like this, full of symbolism, dark and hilarious at the sam time.

[@timhall3575]

Watch the Guard and then Calvary - two more fantastic Brendan Gleeson films.

[@paint9er]

Saw this movie once on Netflix and it became one of my favorite films of all time. So glad you tackled this...and so brilliantly as usual! Really need to see it again. The language (not just all the fucks) is great, very inspiring as a writer. Should've won the Oscar for screenplay!

[@IamFirtyDucker]

Colin Farrell is one of the most underrated actors of his generation. Gets overlooked because of a few flop films. Minority Report, True Detective season 2, In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, Saving Mr Banks, The Lobster etc.

[@wullxz]

the Phantastic Beasts movie is also great and he's great in it.

[@IamFirtyDucker]

wullxz although it doesn’t make sense for the story the twist with him changing to Depp annoyed me. I thought Colin had nailed it.

[@wullxz]

@@IamFirtyDucker yep, he really nailed it. Although I like Depp, I was a bit disappointed. But yeah, makes sense.

[@may-fd8jc]

Phonebooth

[@JonnyCrash]

I actually saw this movie after I visited Bruges in the spring of 2015 with my wife. The weather was cool and overcast for the entirety of our stay. In actuality, the constant cloud cover and lack of sunlight suited that city so well. It's definitely one of our favorite places that we visited in Europe.

[@somuchforthissleeve]

I almost cried with how beautifully put together this analysis and edit was made. Thank you so much for existing you lovely, lovely soul!

[@corymcgrath5652]

"In Bruges" is a wonderful film, it has it's moments and recommend to my friends.But I have never thought of the art behind the scenes. You did an upload about the film "Children of men" and the artwork in that film. Thank you for pointing out the significance of art that surrounds us. It is history, I heard a preview into the future is a careful study of the past.

[@zq1734]

This is my absolute favorite movie. Thank you!

[@TheRusseller]

In Bruges is one of my favorite films. This analysis makes me appreciate it even more. Thanks mate.

[@metrostephen53]

this is in my top 3 movies.. it's so good

[@Nerdwriter1]

+Stephen Flechsing One of my favorites. Also, one of the best surprises.

[@zSenzy]

@Akshay Nakar amadeus

[@Jostipi]

Same here.

[@Jack-ku3bt]

Before I watch your videos, I first watch the movies, and then re-watch them. Identifying the points you make in your video essays make them so much more sublime.

[@tooties545]

Mance Rayder is a Catholic priest!

[@harrievanderlubbe2856]

Caesar is a Catholic priest!

[@carrottop3855]

Hearing raglin road at the end was a treat, that song always gets me, such a beautiful tune.

[@socialistcinema]

What an amazing and thorough analysis of In Bruges. Absolutely love this film. Keep up the good work. I look forward to every single one of your video.

[@bZman]

One of my ALL time favorite films. Absolutely beautiful film of dark humor and a contemplation on mistakes, thoughts of suicide, and whether you can truly follow through with those thoughts without at the end thinking that you want to live. Amazing acting and such a decisive musical score that makes the entire film feel dreamlike

[@bryanchu5379]

Better than three billboards, imho

[@daffyduck9910]

Far better

[@messygamez5675]

Seven Psychopaths is my personal favorite.

[@clkgtr12]

Just like sam mendes, his debut film is his best, imo duh

[@tomisaacson2762]

No question. In Bruges is better than most movies though.

[@pointysidedown]

Three billboards glorified racism. I liked 7 psychopaths best

[@Q2M-idk]

7:07 ray : i can hardly do English

[@piratecheese13]

btw the tense he talks about is a type of perfect

[@AnnekeOosterink]

+piratecheese13 Yeah, not a future. It's an actual way to form a verb and he talks as if it's some sort of magical thing or something.

[@hatebunny]

+Anneke Oosterink It's referred to as "future in the past" and in this case I feel it is similar to the Spanish subjunctive.

[@brewster99]

He obviously knows that its an acceptable way of speech. He just means that its a future-past tense, and serves the purpose of ambiguous mortality.

[@bencard11]

Probably my favorite film of all time from my favorite directing/writing due. Appreciate the fact that you look at the scripts to get a feel for the raw message the writer was trying to convey. I feel like all of my favorite films you eventually do a video on, so there's almost no point in even asking but please consider doing a video on Calvary, La Grande Bellezza, The Grey, Ex Machina, Shame, Hunger or Naked. All magnificently written and executed pieces of art that I don't feel have gotten their due recognition and analysis. Expect some pledge money coming through the old Patreon from me.

[@krusher181]

Bad at maths... Holy shit

[@romanfox5368]

I was about to say, "What about him being bad at maths?" Then he addressed it. This Nerdwriter guy is pretty good.

[@yabasta]

Not bad at maths just bad at his hitman job or a bad shot perhaps. Reaching perhaps. Sure he is moody though so you could say he murdered his own inner child or his innocence perhaps.

[@paulcahill6332]

I really, really hoped I wouldn't die.' I'm Irish. Mixing up tenses when he talk is just what we do lol

[@SkyCinema]

Loving your videos!

[@KidFresh71]

Finally got around to seeing "In Bruges," and what an incredible movie. Entertaining on a surface level because of great characters brilliantly brought to life through keen writing and brilliant acting; thrilling action, and irreverent "non-P.C." humor. But there's an underlying depth and substance to the film that stays with

[@doggotbitm]

also ex machina is really cool i feel like thats another one to consider discussing

[@michaeldawson1194]

The ending is killer

[@TheGrapeinc]

+doggotbitm He's said he's never gonna do a vid on it.

[@michaeldawson1194]

TheGrapeinc where did he say this

[@TheGrapeinc]

Flynn Gumshoe Twitter.

[@doggotbitm]

TheGrapeinc did he give a reason why?

[@vrunsekr]

Wow. Just wow. so many layers yet to be seen, so much more to learn... I had hoped I wouldn't need this - but movies they just keep giving and giving...

[@Zezezeze69]

Brendan Gleeson is god, but we all know his best work is Cáca Milis

[@robwormald6827]

"No guts, no black puddin'!" Bunny Kelly, I Went Down.

[@TheKavo97]

The Irish comment I came to see

[@BlueMathRecruit]

"Tá péist?!?!?!"

[@d3ada5tronaut]

7:19 hoped and wouldn't are both past tense. "hoped I won't die" would be a past-future expression. The word better used to describe "wouldn't" is "irrealis" but it's not odd here because the "hoped" entails irrealis mood, and even with narration it's understood he's talking about a past state in which he presently hoped

[@TuanLeKreuk]

do Synecdoche, New York

[@HauntedAbysss]

I came across this movie while nothing else was on tv... thought of it at first as Maybe I should just skip it... then I kept watching.. and kept watching and... I relised. This movie is DEEP. Really deep. IT sucks you in and won't let you out. I love your last sentence. "It doesn't let you leave". That's how I felt the night I watched it... My heart full of pain and a stomach ache from the thought... one mistake could one mis fire and everything can change. This is so true for a lot of things but the weight of it all happens throughout the movie like a anvil slowly falling on their heads.

[@Klamath2046]

The lyrics to On Raglan Road are similarly reflective in their morality: I saw here her once and knew that her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue

[@warmjamaicanbananas]

Every time I watch this film I get goosebumps when that tune plays at the end. It's such a beautiful song

[@pjk97]

This movie is one of my favorites of all time, and I loved how you just picked it apart and made me look at it from a different perspective. truly stellar job.

[@Kiwi_In_Japan]

0:54 - "Is that the boy from Humans?" *google search* IT IS! HOLY CRAP, GOOD EYE.

[@The-Seventies]

I watched this movie yesterday, and really liked it. Finding out Nerdwriter did a video on it was a nice surprise. Thanks!

[@MrCholoPants3415]

I've seen many films, all of the classics from the 70's, 80's, etc. I'm back to say AGAIN, this is the best film of all time... in my opinion of course. You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't see this film.

[@sahandnasiri3185]

I like this kind of action more than anything,,i dont feel anything in todays action movies honestly. Leon the professional is another good example

[@severnbrown]

@Nerdwriter1 You make my Wednesdays, literally every video is better than the last! Looking back over your older work; it is incredible how much better you have become as your style has evolved (like any great film maker). Just, for those who haven't watched the films you're analysing, put a spoiler warning as this one was chock full, thankfully I had seen the movie, just a general courtesy nowadays. Thank you again for everything you do!

[@99thTuesday]

I like your comparison of Bruges to Purgatory but when you say that modern morality is discursive I have to ask: Hasn't all morality been discursive? generated communally and embodied by the community? Even when thinking about what to us seems like the rigidy of medieval Catholicism there was not the singularity of morality. Heresies and Schisms came and went, and the Church doctrine has itself been altered over time on issues of violence, family, and wealth amongst other things.

[@OlleLindestad]

+99thTuesday Yeah, this is true of all morality. I think perhaps the important difference is that the kind of religious morality that pre-modern societies (and many contemporary societies as well) are built on isn't *openly* discursive. Religious morality tends to present itself as absolute truth (and presents e.g. past disagreements within the church as disagreements between those who were wrong and those who were right), while modern morality presents itself as inherently complicated, situational and, yes, discursive.

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

Well, now it is openly discursive. If you were a common person in the middle ages, morality would have been handed down to you from on high with no room for error and no understanding of its true origins.

[@Urliamo]

+99thTuesday exactly as LifeHappens explains. it is MORE discursive because, with time, it becomes more open to discourse. I would argue that while it is essential to the maintenance of a moral society, it also cheapens morality (since once discoursed, is not divine, or is ignorant of the divine - though a divine morality would be ignorant of a discursive one).

[@Sapphonouveau]

But that in itself is a bit of a cliche, because we know there was still a great deal of diversity in morality (and religious belief/affliation), common and state enforced in the Middle Ages, from church/state sanctioned prostitution in some English cities to fairly lax (even to modern perspectives) divorce law in Wales. So yes morality as always been discursive, even if we take the most cliched narratives of Church history - what else is a synod (of which there were a never ending ream) - but a discourse dressed up in fancy religious pomp?

[@writerconsidered]

I completely forgot about this film. It was one of the best films I've ever seen. Thank you for bringing it back into my consciousness.

[@MunyokiKilyungi]

HI. Your work is amazing and inspiring. I'll support your work on Patreon when I can!

[@RoryKen100]

In Bruges is one of my favourite film, me and my friend like it so much and have watched it so much that we just quote it to each other as it plays, the dialogue is just so great, expecially the exchange about the bottle.

[@servietsky67]

This is without a doubt the smartest and most insightful channel on KZbin.

[@mykhailomiroshnikov]

I’m so glad it’s finally back! Been searching for this one online for ages.

[@williamcampagna9851]

Amazing film. Much under appreciated

[@Beefjerkey12345]

love your work! It's especially impressive how you manage to continue pumping out quality content again and again every week. I don't think I've seen a single video of yours I didn't like except for "The World is Your Playground", but the only reason I don't like it is because it made me cry during my break at work and I had to go back to work with puffy red eyes.

[@eduardofreudenthal824]

the last time I came this early I became a father

[@juhabakapeci4108]

the last time I saw this joke ai burned a village down.

[@juhabakapeci4108]

+Lord Krinkle In a fit of rage from hearing this joke for the 100th time I did. I was having a house party so a lot of people died...........

[@eduardofreudenthal824]

+juhabaka peci 👍

[@channelx7761]

+Lord Krinkle the last time I came this early I saw you make the same joke in the wisecrack video.

[@eduardofreudenthal824]

+ChannelX Finally! I was waiting for someone to notice! It took longer than I thought 😊 cheers

[@SPQR1777]

Very well done video. I couldn't help but pick up on connection of purgatory and bruges while watching this last week and just wanted to see if anyone else saw the same and out of no where you dropped a new video about it today!

[@kranklg2s]

I'm know that I am a bit late to the party but... how is "wouldn't" in the future tense? "Would" is the past tense of "will". (I know modals are sometimes said to "technically" all be in future tense, but "would" is still the past tense of "will" so eff it). Both "hoped" and "would not" are in the past tense. Maybe there's a more grammatically correct way of saying it, but for common people that would probably be considered anal to point out. Or are you solely trying to determine from what point of reference the narration is coming? It doesn't matter, because grammatically it just isn't a strange thing to say. It's obvious that he's recalling the events - whether that's from later in life or from an afterlife doesn't make any difference on grammar, since it would still be a POV *following* the shooting. I just found that such a strange thing to point out; not to mention a fallacious statement to base further questions on. Or maybe I just don't understand what you're trying to say. I'd love to hear the author's take on it, or any other commenter's for that matter.

[@RedsKinDK23]

Holy S***!, pardon my passion, but exclamation abounds in my body & soul, I haven't watched yet but I want to say I found your channel an hour ago and so far u have graced 4 of my favorite "underknown" movies with your articulate opinion. It's like ur channel is just for me, I love it! Truly Thank you. I'm gonna shut up & watch now.

[@neilb9768]

The recognition that Martin Mcdonagh received for three billboards, he should have recieved it for this movie too. I see that many people have not seen this movie. But, I was blessed to have a tv channel in my country that only played arthouse movies. One day I was flicking through the channels and I saw that this movie was playing. I did't know what it was about but decided to stay with it for a while. I was spellbound by the beautifully written and acted characters and heartbreaking story the crushing soundtrack was a cherry on top. From then on I instantly became a Mcdonagh fan. And then three billboards happened.

[@DeclanMBrennan]

A thoughtful and beautifully narrated analysis. In Bruges" is everything you say it is but it is also "make sure you go to the loo first or you'll piss yourself laughing" funny at least for a Dubliner like me. :-)

[@emjayay]

The scene with the tourists at the tower is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. Of course I climbed it when I was there.

[@blueoctopus8]

“Wouldn’t” is past tense though? Past: “I hoped I wouldn’t die” Present: “I hope I won’t die” Future: “I’ll hope I won’t die”

[@andreiporojanu2670]

Yes, but the point of referance is in the past, in that "hoped" he hoped in the past to not die, now, like in the video we don't know from where or what time afterwards he says that. Hope this makes sense.

[@markirwin3878]

Wouldn't is future tense bruh

[@Marctersmantoll]

Yeah. I really can't see other ways to say it. "Yesterday I really hoped I wouldn't get a warning at work." Hoped. Wouldn't.

[@airey773]

I always felt that the line "I really really hoped i wouldn't die' was to show the Ray saw his life in a way like a story he was watching from the sidelines. It would be a coping mechanism. Following the story, hoping the character you were playing was going to live.

[@bZman]

I always saw it as him, the suicidal man in his last moments finally wishing to live. You can take it as him being absolved of the sin of the sin of suicide in a catholic sense or to continue with the religious aspect a rebirth of sorts, death of the suicidal killer and birth of the man who wants to live, or my original takeaway an allegory for the last thoughts of someone taking their own life and the regret they feel in that last moment. It being open to interpretation is what makes it such a beautiful film.

[@asderc1]

The film Six Shooter is an excellent half hour short by Martin McDonagh, really worth a watch.

[@edgesofreality]

I was made aware of this channel a couple weeks ago by a shout out on a Thug Notes video. It has very quickly become my favorite KZbin channel. There are videos on almost every one of my very favorite examples of various media. Blade Runner is my favorite movie, Ghost in the Shell is my favorite anime, Sandman is my favorite comic, etc. Thank you so much for sharing your opinions and knowledge with everyone this way and reminding all of us to look for the art in everything.

[@cameronmicallef690]

"A bottle! " SMACK

[@BEdwardStover]

I love that you used the music from the movie in this. It helps make the unreal sense of the movie come into your video.

[@Corrupted]

Great Video!

[@briankeogh335]

Still my favorite film ever, got to study McDonagh in school and I’ve loved everything he’s created