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The charm of continental Europe; the historical buildings, the quaint little inns.

The homicide.

All of which are seen in the dark comedy, "In Bruges."

Partners-in-crime Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are hitmen who are on a mandated vacation in the small Belgian town of Bruges. Although older, more experienced Ken is glad to go sightseeing and get some rest and relaxation. Ray is restless and thoroughly aggravated with being stuck in the village.

Just when Ray thinks he cannot take the monotony any longer, he meets Chloû (Clemence Poesy), a beautiful local girl who finds him irresistible despite his slams on her hometown. Unfortunately, Ray's days may be numbered, much to his mentor's sorrow, when Ken receives a message from their boss (Ralph Fiennes) that Ray is his next target, leading Ken down a contemplative path as to what his young charge should do with himself.

Brash as always, Farrell also is unusually emotional playing Ray, whose anguish is rooted in his most recent (and so far only) contract, which resulted in the death of an innocent boy. His sensitivity about this incident is astonishing considering his snippy, almost hateful repartee with everyone else around him.

Gleeson is enjoyable as the worldlier of the pair, as Ken responds to the highlights of Bruges much better than his partner. Fiennes is in spectacular form as their superior, Harry Waters, a hot-tempered and profane business man who regards Ray as disposable but has a long-standing friendship with Ken. The actor seems to be channeling Michael Caine in giving Harry his voice, and with great success. Poesy is fine as well, but outshining her as a supporting character is Jordan Prentice as Jimmy, a cheeky dwarf actor shooting an art film within the city limits.

Moody, irreverent and hilarious, the movie is not for the easily offended.

It is simple to laugh at Ray antagonizing overweight American tourists and kvetching about the tedium of his vacation spot, but others may not appreciate his barrage of commentary on little people, the mentally handicapped and one ethnicity after another.

Nevertheless, it does not come off as intolerable. Writer/director Martin McDonagh's script has a witty feel to it that rivals the likes of Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino, with the kind of dialogue that would do either of them proud.

Considering this is McDonagh's full-length debut feature following his Oscar-winning short "Six Shooter," (which also features Brendan Gleeson) it looks like the filmmaker will have an auspicious career in front of him.

A must for action junkies and Flemish countryside enthusiasts alike, "In Bruges" is the kind of blend of humor, drama and gunplay that makes a movie thoroughly stimulating.