An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.
Patrolling the dark/light divide so confidently even the IRA nab legitimate laughs, The Guard is a cracker of a film and Sergeant Gerry Boyle a comedy creation for the ages.
Among the most purely entertaining films of the year, which cuts its laughter with a dose of Celtic melancholy. It still delivers cop/action requirements — shoot-outs, revenges, daring deeds — and chances are, we’ll be quoting lines from this forever.
A little rough around the edges, The Guard is intelligent and knowingly funny, and despite continually breaking the fourth wall, it’s very easy to find yourself embroiled in this strange affair.
[Brendan Gleeson's] rapport with a visiting FBI agent (Don Cheadle, thoroughly welcome) is a consistent delight, unlike the rather sleepy plot, which falls short of In Bruges in tension, weirdness or originality.
The funniest action comedy for a long time.
Laughs dry up in uneven Irish comedy
Some of the comedy is mistimed, and there's a little too much thrown in, but Gleeson's amiably contrarian lead is the type of cop you'd happily watch on TV every week. He could certainly teach Lewis a thing or two.
This year's In Bruges.
Having already taken millions in Ireland, it deserves to do the same over here.
The Guard, like it's unconventional hero, is a true original.
Scene after scene of faux drama ends with glib punchlines designed to raise an outraged laugh, none of which are deserved.
Great fun when taken in the right spirit, which would be Old Paddy with a Guinness chaser.
The Guard doesn't always earn the brilliance of its finest verbal flourishes, but it boasts a central character and matching performance that are worth their weight – and may show staying power too.
Sibling rivalry
General release. Check local listings for show times.