The Guard (2011) Review

A small time Irish policeman Gerry Boyle has a confrontational personality is partnered with FBI agent Wendell Everett to investigate an international drug smuggling ring.

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Sergeant Gerry Boyle is crass towards quite frankly everyone, whether that be fellow police or out in the community. He is known to indulge in both alcohol and drugs even while he is on duty, but he does also show a softer side when with his mother. Working with Aidan McBride they are investigating a murder and not long after this Boyle meets FBI agent Wendell Everett as he is sent to Garda hunting four Irish drug traffickers. One of the people just happens to be the person who was murdered and this links it all together.

The sheer brilliance of The Guard is mixing American’s into the small Irish town and seeing how much the culture clash occurs and that despite his faults Boyle is actually essential when attempting to talk to the local people, especially in the areas where they speak Gaelic rather than English.

One of my favourite scenes was with Boyle talking to a young boy named Eugene after he had discovered a lot of weapons, and tried to pull a fast one by taking a gun. He had no worry in calling him a “little shit” and it was quite frankly all hilarious as the young lad really attempted to get one over on Boyle which was never going to happen.

The battling relationship between Boole and Everett is certainly a good point of the film working so well, with the hate and then respect when they eventually realise why the other acts and behaves the way they do and that quite frankly that meant they could actually make pretty good partners against the drug dealers.

Casting wise it is completely spot on and I was constantly wondering why it has taken me 11 years to eventually watch this film considering I love so many of them! Brendan Gleeson should be Irish (self) in every single film he is in because he is so charming even when crass. He owns the screen each time he is on and this role can be compared to many others. I mean maybe a director/writer with the last name McDonagh can just get the very best out of him? Don Cheadle is another actor who is always such a joy to watch in any role and he acts as a very straight character opposite Gleeson. Throwing in Mark Strong as a bad guy is also an incredible move as well. Liam Cunningham also deserves a mention as he had some very impressive scenes as well.