The Guard

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. (12/10/2011)

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. (06/04/2013)

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. (23/10/2022)

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. (21/07/2022)

The McDonagh brothers guarantee perfect English humor, which takes no prisoners and delivers one joke after another (with a few being quite politically incorrect, of course). The Guard boasts is set in the Irish countryside, radiating crudeness and rawness. I have to say that casting Brendan Gleeson as the unconventional cop was a stroke of genius—it couldn’t have resulted in anything but success. His character was so odd and unorthodox that you couldn’t help but love him after just a few minutes. Choosing Don Cheadle as the FBI agent was a well-done contrast. The film is full of comedic and entertaining situations that work well, and many will have you laughing uncontrollably. English humor isn’t for everyone, that’s true, but for those who appreciate it, the 92 minutes of this film will be a joy. The story and script also fall into the better category, and Mark Strong handled his supporting role as a gangster effortlessly. It may not reach the level of In Bruges, but it’s still a solid piece of work from our friends across the English Channel. I give it 81%. (28/08/2017)