Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) is an Irish copper with unorthodox methods. Few of his colleagues understand him even if he always catches the bad guys. When international drug smugglers invade his patch he thinks he can take them on. He doesn’t count on being partnered with FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) who likes doing things by the book. As the pair attempt bring down villains from every corner, they must first sort out their own differences and overcome their unique views on police-work.
The Guard relies heavily on the talents of actor Brendan Gleeson. Recently known for the movie ‘In Bruges’, The Guard finally affords him his own starring role. This he grabs with glee as his strange police-man plays fast and loose with the law. Whilst his ways appear strange, his ideals seem more incorruptible than those of his fellow officers. With his new partner’s quest for efficiency no match for Boyle’s reliance on intuition and street smarts, both learn aspects of the other.
With some good performances and nice comic timing, it’s somewhat of a shame the story wasn’t expressed better. Some scenes appear to have been cut with the narrative tending to occasionally meander. There is never a sense of urgency as some sequences stopping to a stand-still. These spoil what is otherwise a pretty good jab at the ‘cop buddy’ field with some great cinematography capturing the surroundings perfectly.
While not exactly a laugh riot as ads claim, The Guard is still an amusing addition to a well-worn genre. Whether there is anything new to be said in this category is another question although it appears movies like these shows no sign of going anytime soon.
Movie Review Rating 6 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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