Directed by:
John Michael McDonaghScreenplay:
John Michael McDonaghCinematography:
Larry SmithComposer:
CalexicoCast:
Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Liam Cunningham, David Wilmot, Mark Strong, Fionnula Flanagan, Dominique McElligott, Darren Healy, Laurence Kinlan, Gary Lydon (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) is a small-town cop with a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humour, a dying mother, a fondness for prostitutes, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international cocaine-smuggling ring that has brought FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) to his door. However, when his enthusiastic new partner disappears, his favourite hooker attempts to blackmail him and the drug-traffickers themselves try to buy him off, Sergeant Boyle finally realises that he needs to take matters into his own hands. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (4)
Despite lacking a top-notch screenplay that could have elevated it beyond mere casual entertainment, the film still managed to capture my attention. Perhaps it was its simplicity, which the creators didn't bother to conceal, that resonated with me. Sergeant Garry Boyle, the cynical, politically incorrect, and unabashedly corrupt character, has been my hero for years. Today's rerun served as a reminder of why. The Irish filmmakers impressed me not only with their ability to poke fun at their nearest neighbors and folks overseas but also by fearlessly taking jabs at their own ranks. / Lesson learned: When it comes to finances, the FBI tends to exaggerate.
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A very pleasant surprise. John Michael learnt from his brother how to blend a crime story with irresistible incorrect humour, so, while Martin finishes his Seven Psychopaths, we can shorten the wait with this movie. Brendan Gleeson literally excels in his role as a quirky Irish policeman. If you liked In Bruges, there’s nothing left to say, give The Guard a chance. The comedy weak 2011 was in need of something this funny.
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I was expecting a funnier film and definitely something more original, not a film just based on two or three ideas. I was downright disappointed with the ending. But Brendan Gleeson is of course excellent, as are the trio of drug dealers. But films In Bruges or Hot Fuzz, which The Guard would probably most like to resemble, are much, much better. Three and a half.
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Brendan Gleeson and his one man show in a crime comedy full of dry English humour. The film moves along briskly, has plenty of dark humour and a basic detective story. Unfortunately for me, the humour isn't as effective and entertaining as I would have expected and stays more within the boundaries of correctness, and the detective line is more of an accompaniment to Gleeson's performance. I was hoping for a better ride and although I like this kind of humour, this didn't do it for me.
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