This is a movie that would've gone unnoticed, were it not for one of the many "Top 10 Under-appreciated Movies" posts you see on so many blogs. And I'm glad I read that, because "The Guard" turned out to be hidden gem.
Brendan Gleeson stars as an Irish cop who finds himself investigating an international drug-smuggling ring that also has the attention of the FBI. Don Cheadle is the college-boy Fed who's loaned out to assist with the investigation, and the two butt heads in your (seemingly) typical fish-out-of-water, disparate-cops-must-get-along story.
Billed as a buddy cop movie, Gleeson's the real star (with Cheadle taking a backseat - though both get to exercise their comedic chops). The story focuses mainly on his unconventional (and perhaps racist) small-time cop as he puzzles through the investigation. The movie has a distinct sarcastic wit (reminded me of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels") and a script that crackles with biting dialogue. I don't think I've ever seen Cheadle in such a straight-laced role, but he has a knack for straight-man comedy. Not a lazy performance.
"The Guard" is engaging, absolutely hilarious, and even poignant with that heartfelt ending.
7.5/10
Brendan Gleeson stars as an Irish cop who finds himself investigating an international drug-smuggling ring that also has the attention of the FBI. Don Cheadle is the college-boy Fed who's loaned out to assist with the investigation, and the two butt heads in your (seemingly) typical fish-out-of-water, disparate-cops-must-get-along story.
Billed as a buddy cop movie, Gleeson's the real star (with Cheadle taking a backseat - though both get to exercise their comedic chops). The story focuses mainly on his unconventional (and perhaps racist) small-time cop as he puzzles through the investigation. The movie has a distinct sarcastic wit (reminded me of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels") and a script that crackles with biting dialogue. I don't think I've ever seen Cheadle in such a straight-laced role, but he has a knack for straight-man comedy. Not a lazy performance.
"The Guard" is engaging, absolutely hilarious, and even poignant with that heartfelt ending.
7.5/10