An enjoyable, intriguing, funny cop story with a thriller edge that pits a free-thinking, prejudiced Irish cop with authority issues (Brendan Gleeson) against an uptight visiting American FBI agent (Don Cheadle) in a drug smuggling case. The Irish setting makes for interesting local color, although the heavy brogue might make it a better Netflix candidate so you can replay the dialogue when necessary. The script, by John Michael McDonagh, who also directed, for me has echoes of "In Bruges." And not just because of the towering presence of Brendan Gleeson, but in its self-conscious and ironical tone and movie and pop culture references. Like that earlier movie, it has heart and lots of laughs.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Guard ****
An enjoyable, intriguing, funny cop story with a thriller edge that pits a free-thinking, prejudiced Irish cop with authority issues (Brendan Gleeson) against an uptight visiting American FBI agent (Don Cheadle) in a drug smuggling case. The Irish setting makes for interesting local color, although the heavy brogue might make it a better Netflix candidate so you can replay the dialogue when necessary. The script, by John Michael McDonagh, who also directed, for me has echoes of "In Bruges." And not just because of the towering presence of Brendan Gleeson, but in its self-conscious and ironical tone and movie and pop culture references. Like that earlier movie, it has heart and lots of laughs.
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