The Emerald Isle becomes a hot-bed of criminal activity in this wonderfully made film about an unorthodox Garda (policeman) Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson), who patrols the streets and country lanes of Galway quietly, working to his own rhythm.
That is until a series of bodies turn up, which are connected to a drug cartel that the FBI are searching for. The local police force are joined by American federal agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle), a by-the-book agent who is out to stop a major drug deal happening in the city. As Boyle uncovers more behind the crimes, the two men from different countries and different schools of policing must work together to foil a major drug deal.
Grizzly, gory, and with a dark humour similar to films such as In Bruges, which also starred Gleeson, The Guard is a tremendous black comedy that finds success thanks to both a witty and unique script by writer/director John Michael McDonagh, and a bravura performance by Gleeson. As Boyle, he creates an anti-hero that you can’t help but be charmed by, and he makes a hilarious double act with Ocean’s 11 star Cheadle, who is brilliant as the straight man of the pair.
A brilliant spin on the buddy cop formula, those who like their comedy a little darker will love this.
Star Rating: *****
