REVIEW: The Guard

 There are no spoilers in this review.

PLOT: An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.


THE GOOD: John Michael McDonagh. The writer and director of The Guard is the brother of Martin McDonagh, who wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated film In Bruges. John Michael McDonagh's film has some striking similarities, but with two characters who make the film all their own. McDonagh took Brendan Gleeson from In Bruges and put him in the lead role as an Irish cop in a little town, which gets caught up in a big drug-smuggling ring. This fully realized character created by McDonagh is an incredible feature all in itself because he's unconventional yet entirely believable. Just when you think this is going to be your typical buddy cop film, it takes a turn for the better and adds some quick-witted dialogue that is sure to make you laugh. I was sad to see The Guard get completely snubbed during the Oscars nominations announcement, but I know that those who have seen it have said nothing but great things. I'm really excited to see what John Michael McDonagh does next.

AGENT EVERETT: "Why is it that whenever you ask an Irishman a question, he answers with another question?" SERGEANT BOYLE: "Who told you that?"

Acting. Brendan Gleeson deserved an Oscar nomination for his role. He's just so good at it. At least he was nominated for a Golden Globe, but he didn't get the win, which is fine. I could not see anyone else as this character though. Don Cheadle comes in as an FBI agent tracking the drug ring to Ireland. He's not used to the unwonted way that Gleeson's character acts, or even the way the locals in the small town do. This leads to some very funny and sometimes awkward situations. But the movie truly shines whenever Cheadle and Gleeson are on screen together. Their dialogue and back-and-forths are the best of the year. In fact, I would venture to say that this is my favorite screenplay of 2011. There are also some fun supporting performances by Liam Cunningham, Fionnula Flanagan, and David Wilmot, but another one of my favorites was Mark Strong. The scene where he delivers the bribe money was one of the funniest moments in the film.

Funny. As I've already stated, this movie is hilarious. Bethany and I were cracking up through the whole film. If you liked In Bruges and Hot Fuzz, this movie feels like a morphing of the two. And it's just as comical.

SERGEANT BOYLE: "How do you get an Irishman on the roof? Tell him the drinks are on the house."

THE BAD: Nothing.


THE END: I listed The Guard as my eighth favorite film of 2011 because I love it so much. With some of the best dialogue of the year, fantastic acting, and great directing, I'm shocked that it hasn't gotten more attention than it has. I would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a good flick.


DISCUSS: What did you think of The Guard? What did you think of the performances? Do you think it should have gotten more nominations? Do you like this or In Bruges more?

No wonder the Charlie's Angels remake got cancelled!