In Bruges features one of the most stylized child murders I have ever seen on film. I repeat – Stylized Child Murder. Later in the film we have another stylized murder of a midget that results in a suicide because the suicide victim thought the latter murder was a child murder. Now, I think gangster death can be fun just like everybody else, including the Reservoir Dogs clones up and through In Bruges. But the British took it too far – I am not a fan of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels for many of the same reasons that I am not a fan of this movie. The British take on the humor in these films is generally a bit too sadistic.
Furthermore, we have an illegal drug subplot that is placed just to give the film an additional edge it does not deserve or need. Farrell and Gleeson are entertaining enough as the wayward buddy gangsters - especially Gleeson who we need to see in more and more material.
One great plot turn is offered later as Farrell departs on his train to anonymity but I won’t spoil that here.
Lastly the introduction of the Fiennes character in a very delayed third act is ill timed in my opinion.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)