Garda Sergeant Gerry Boyle works in Connemara in the remote West of Ireland; he is an unconventional cop
he takes drugs, enjoys the company of prostitutes and doesn't work on his day off even if somebody might be moving half a billion dollars' worth of cocaine through his patch. When somebody is found murdered the scene suggests an occult motive but when Boyle attends a briefing given by FBI Special Agent Wendell Everett he recognises the man as one of four who are meant to be smuggling a large quantity of cocaine into the country.
Having recognised the dead man Boyle ends up partnered with Everett. At first Boyle has no interest in the case but when a young Garda officer, recently transferred from Dublin, goes missing he starts to take an interest. As the case progresses it becomes clear that despite all his faults he may be the only honest cop in the area; it will be up to him and Everett to stop the drug smugglers and get justice for the murdered guard.
If you are looking for a conventional crime drama or are easily offended by non-PC humour then this film certainly isn't for you; however if you like your humour dark you should love this. Brendon Gleeson is great as Sgt. Boyle; he manages to make his character likable despite all his flaws, likewise Don Cheadle is solid as straight guy Wendell. The rest of the cast, including well-known actors Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham, do fine jobs too. While this is mainly a film you watch for the laughs there is a decent story there too as well as an exciting and explosive conclusion. Surprisingly for a comedy it manages to avoid some overused clichés; most notably Agent Everett doesn't act as though the whole world is part of the FBI's jurisdiction; in fact he has to be persuaded to use a firearm which is given to him by Boyle. There are also some poignant moments too including the murder of the young Garda and Boyle's dealings with his dying mother. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody who likes a good laugh but isn't easily offended.
Having recognised the dead man Boyle ends up partnered with Everett. At first Boyle has no interest in the case but when a young Garda officer, recently transferred from Dublin, goes missing he starts to take an interest. As the case progresses it becomes clear that despite all his faults he may be the only honest cop in the area; it will be up to him and Everett to stop the drug smugglers and get justice for the murdered guard.
If you are looking for a conventional crime drama or are easily offended by non-PC humour then this film certainly isn't for you; however if you like your humour dark you should love this. Brendon Gleeson is great as Sgt. Boyle; he manages to make his character likable despite all his flaws, likewise Don Cheadle is solid as straight guy Wendell. The rest of the cast, including well-known actors Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham, do fine jobs too. While this is mainly a film you watch for the laughs there is a decent story there too as well as an exciting and explosive conclusion. Surprisingly for a comedy it manages to avoid some overused clichés; most notably Agent Everett doesn't act as though the whole world is part of the FBI's jurisdiction; in fact he has to be persuaded to use a firearm which is given to him by Boyle. There are also some poignant moments too including the murder of the young Garda and Boyle's dealings with his dying mother. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody who likes a good laugh but isn't easily offended.