In Bruges (2008 Martin McDonagh & scr)

"After I killed him, I dropped the gun in the Thames, washed the residue off me hands in Burger King and walked home to await instructions." We needed more McDonagh gallows humour but as always there's something quite dark at the heart, that Colin Farrell has killed an innocent boy (whilst assassinating priest Ciaran Hinds - no one seems to mind that) and feels he must die (whether he does or not, we never know) after black comic ending featuring Ralph Fiennes' murderous crime boss and dwarf dressed as schoolboy Jordan Prentice.

The leads are fantastic, as is the moment where Gleeson is about to shoot Farrell in the head, only to have Farrell pull out a gun on himself. Something about the way it's shot evokes westerns. Also love the McDonagh as playwright touch where Gleeson has to pretend Farrell leaves the hotel room, and the late knowledge that it has been Farrell's first assignment.

Great backup cast too with Eric Godon (arms dealer), Zeljko Ivanek (Canadian), Clémence Poésy, Jérémie Rénier, Thekla Reuten, Jordan Prentice and Elizabeth Berrington.

Q thinks the McDonaghs are the Irish Coens - the fact that Carter Burwell has scored this is no coincidence. I buy the comparison - also like an Irish Tarantino, but much darker. It's shot in Panavision by Eigil Bryld and edited by Jon Gregory.

Won BAFTA for best screenplay (and Oscar nomination); film, Gleason and Gregory all BAFTA nominated; Golden Globe for Farrell.