'In Bruges' emerges as unlikely Globes contender

"In Bruges" scored three nominations from the Globes on Thursday, including best picture for a musical or comedy and dueling best actor in a musical or comedy nominations for Farrell and his co-star Brendan Gleeson — a first for each.

Written and directed by playwright Martin McDonagh, the film received good but largely mixed reviews, and grossed less than $8 million at the U.S. box office. In it, Farrell and Gleeson play hit men laid up in the picturesque and quaint town of Bruges, Belgium.

The movie's Golden Globe success may have been partially indebted to its Anglo-Irish production and Belgian setting. The Globes nominees are selected through the slightly European perspective of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

"In Bruges" also fared well with the British Independent Awards, where it was nominated for six awards and won for best screenplay.

Though Globes success can often spell good things for a film's Oscar prospects, that's unlikely in this case: Unlike the Academy Awards, the Globes split films between dramas and comedies, giving comedies more attention.

The Academy, though, may be aware of McDonaugh's film. It awarded McDonaugh's only previous film, "Six Shooter" best live action short in 2006.

The Golden Globes winners will be announced on the awards broadcast airing Jan. 11.

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