Irish crime-comedy about two policemen who join forces to take on an international drug-smuggling gang – one, a sly Irish policeman (Brendan Gleeson) and the other, a straitlaced FBI agent (Don Cheadle).
"'What a beautiful day,' sighs Brendan Gleeson’s unorthodox Irish cop. The fact that he’s saying this while high on acid at the scene of a car accident tells you everything you need to know about this 90s-style crimecomedy." (TimeOut New York).
This is the feature debut from John Michael McDonagh, brother of the playwright and filmmaker who made In Bruges.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
Screenwriting guru William Goldman writes, rather beautifully, of first encountering intrepid detective Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) in the Coen brothers’ classic, Fargo. “I felt a sense of peace,” he says. For one thing, McDormand was married to Joel Coen, so “no way he offs his wife”. For another, “I was going to spend another hour with one of the major movie characters of the decade… I just wanted to be along for the ride.”
The same is true of Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Gleeson) of the Irish police force, although he’s a good deal less wholesome than Marge – in fact, we first meet him tripping his nuts off on confiscated acid. Gleeson’s not romantically linked with writer-director John Michael McDonagh either, although he did bring the same bear-like charm to In Bruges by McDonagh’s brother, Martin, so close enough.
Like a light-hearted Lethal Weapon in reverse, The Guard teams Gleeson’s corner-cutting hick with Don Cheadle’s uptight FBI officer Wendell Everett with genial, often laugh-out-loud results. Chugging pills and visiting prostitutes, while retaining a twinkly-eyed appeal, Boyle scoffs at his partner’s professional eagerness. Everett, meanwhile, can scarcely believe Boyle’s questionable methods, but soon wonders whether he’s as stupid (or racist, or dishonest, or crass) as he appears.
Although it may sound a touch over-familiar – and the open-and-shut smuggling case they face certainly is – the film’s more interested in spending quality time with this unlikely pair than solving crimes. Thanks to McDonagh’s sparkling script and some charming central performances, you will be too.
By Matt Glasby, Flicks.co.nz
Odd but very funny. Have to listen carefully but loved it =)
hard to understand accent but better than TV
rates as highly with me as 'get low' did earlier this year. Gleeson is excellent. do not miss this movie.
Gerry Boyle played by Brendan Gleeson is a cop investigating drug smuggling, when an FBI Agent Wendell Everret played by Don Cheadle comes over from the states to help with the case. Gleeson is great as a very hard nosed and funny and also of kilter cop. Cheadle is playing a straigh laced character and also does well. This is similar humour to the directors brother who directed the fantastic In Bruges and there are some similarites with the dark humour in this one. I did enjoy it and I recommend it
Having heard amazing reviews of this film possibly ruined it for me. As although it's entertaining it's just not that funny. I do generally love this style of humour and with the actors of the calibre of Brendon Gleeson, Mark Strong and Don Cheadle i have to be honest and say I was expecting more.
Focusing the film on Gleeson was certainly the right choice. His performance is equal parts funny and unnerving, and he keeps viewers guessing about what drives the man and what he'll do next.
The Guard is a pleasure. I can't tell if it's really (bleeping) dumb or really (bleeping) smart, but it's pretty (bleeping) good.
Among the most purely entertaining films of the year, which cuts its laughter with a dose of Celtic melancholy. It still delivers cop/action requirements — shoot-outs, revenges, daring deeds — and chances are, we’ll be quoting lines from this forever.
There's a story, in case you're looking for one, though it's almost an afterthought, just the thin glue holding everything together, including the fine cast, the sense of broody place and the fatalism that seems to come with it. Mostly there's Mr. McDonagh's playful, sometimes overly cute language, which serves the actors and also threatens to upstage them.
Patrolling the dark/light divide so confidently even the IRA nab legitimate laughs, The Guard is a cracker of a film and Sergeant Gerry Boyle a comedy creation for the ages.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 25th Aug 2011.
Release date: August 25th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
