I have never been to an Irish wake, but I have a stereotype in my head that probably helped this film to work for me. In my stereotype there is a charming and endearing mixture of jolly disorder and tragedy, emotional twists from angry conflict to affection and back, mixed and even screwy personalities, and wandering minds. Some may need to think of this as an ethnic film to fully appreciate it.



The heavy accents were hard to follow, but if I try to imagine this in American English, it just would not have worked for me. Why not? -- I am sure others will itemize the various improbabilities here and there in the film. Yes there were a lot of "coincidences." Yes there could have been less blood and gore." Perhaps there was not much moral point to the film -- except that if you notice it did deal with compassion and honor among people probably very different from most viewers. And, how could anyone keep moving with all those bullets in them. Yes, yes. Need I go on? You might want to try to think of this as a subtle fantasy in a photogenic city -- and then enjoy.



In any event I really got involved. There were a lot of wonderful lines and some great facial expressions. Bruge was a great setting. I am glad that the director let the camera linger on the actor's faces because that was where a lot of their humanity came through and they were excellent actors. There was a lot of wonderful cleverness all around in the story, dialogue, direction, acting, etc. -- if nothing philosophically profound that I caught. This is not trying to be Bergman or Jodorowsky. Interesting mix of music!



Despite the fact that I found the heavy accents necessary I hope that when the film goes to DVD it will have English subtitles!! I also would like to see more of Bruge in the bonus features. I ALWAYS want an intelligent director's commentary if I am going to purchase a film -- so please. It is a visually very nice film and verry good entertainment and I would buy a DVD with good extra features. Obviously my comments are based on having just seen it in the theatre.