In any given year, a well-executed black comedy is almost destined to emerge as one of my favourite movies of that year. It is a genre I sincerely cherish.
There are the classics – Dr Strangelove being near the top of that particular list.
Then there is the filmography of the Coen brothers – Fargo, Burn After Reading, The Big Lebowski.
And the pitch-black humour that can be found in the works of Yorgos Lanthimos – The Lobster, Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Favourite.
But of late, another pair of brothers have made three of my favourite black comedies of the recent past.
Martin and John McDonagh, between them, have given us these three delightful entries into the black comedy hall of fame:
In Bruges(2008)
As a film, this is assuredly the best of the three. Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen hiding out in Bruges, Belgium, the film is outrageously entertaining.
Deftly merging elements of a dark comedy and a crime thriller, Martin McDonagh’s script is imaginative and witty.
While the writing is above-par, what elevates In Bruges to the hall of fame are the performances by the three principal actors.
Farrell is given the most to work with, and he’s exceptional. As a hitman searching for atonement, Farrell is as good as he’s ever been.
Gleeson is dependably brilliant. And Ralph Fiennes steals every scene he’s in.
Favourite Quote:
Harry: An Uzi? I’m not from South Central Los fucking Angeles. I didn’t come here to shoot twenty black ten-year-olds in a drive-by. I want a normal gun for a normal person.
The Guard (2011)
The most successful independent Irish film of all time, The Guard is yet another triumph of writing. John McDonagh’s BAFTA-nominated screenplay has energy, intelligence and ingenuity.
A gloriously acerbic spin on the ‘buddy-cop’ genre, The Guard stars Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle as unlikely partners.
This is the Brendan Gleeson show, and what a show it is. His Gerry Boyle is utterly captivating – hilarious, earnest, charming and offensive.
Favourite Quote:
Gerry Boyle: Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, these men are armed and dangerous, and you being an FBI agent you’re more used to shooting at unarmed women and children...
Wendell Everett: Oh, fuck you, Sergeant!
Seven Psychopaths (2012)
As violent as it is witty, Martin McDonagh’s follow up to In Bruges may not be as adroit, but it makes up for its few drawbacks with a cast of characters to die for.
Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson clearly had a ball during filming, and that energy translates to the screen.
But it’s Sam Rockwell who surfaces as the scene-stealer, as is his remit. Man, just how good is Sam Rockwell?
Favourite Quote:
Hans: It’s like Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.” I believe that wholeheartedly.
Billy: No it doesn't. There'll be one guy left with one eye. How’s the last blind guy gonna take out the eye of the last guy left, who's still got one eye! All that guy has to do is run away and hide behind a bush.
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