The Guard - An Irishman Sees Black

Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) does his job as a policeman in a small town on the west coast of Ireland without much enthusiasm. Gerry is not averse to alcohol and other mind-altering substances, nor to attractive prostitutes, but he rarely finds kind words for other people. When FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) shows up after a murder and informs Gerry and his colleagues that this could be a lead to an international drug smuggling ring, the sarcastic cop stands out more for his not exactly subversive racism and less for his definitely available sleuthing skills. But when his new partner disappears and one of his favorite hookers, of all people, tries to blackmail him, Gerry realizes he's long been in the case much deeper than he'd like.

With The Guard, John Michael McDonagh has managed to create a wonderfully unorthodox comedy that boasts refreshingly wicked and not at all politically correct humour and a starring role for the superb Brendan Gleeson (Mad Eye Moody in the Harry Potter films). From the opening sequence, which shows Gerry at the scene of a car crash caused by speeding teenagers, it's clear that you're not dealing with a correct officer here. Gerry is a loner who hides his intelligence and sleuthing behind extreme cynicism. Gleeson gives this slightly different cop with wonderful conviction. Don Cheadle is the perfect counterpart as the buttoned-up, always correct American. The first long conversation between Gerry and Wendell in a pub is one of the many comedic highlights of the film.

Although the story itself is dark and the rough scenery would be the perfect setting for a depressive social drama, McDonagh and his actors succeed again and again in putting the audience in the best of moods. The fact that they largely do without flat gags is pleasant in that the more dramatic moments don't seem out of place as a result. Especially the moments between Gerry and his mother can only unfold their full glory. The mixture of black comedy, thriller and drama makes The Guard much more than just a buddy comedy. McDonagh has succeeded in creating a multi-layered comedy that works brilliantly both as a story about an unusual male friendship, as a quirky thriller, but also as an endearing portrait of a cynical loner.

The Guard is an original work that stands out from the crowd with a great title character, a wonderful acting duo, a once again wonderfully evil Mark Strong, and refreshingly deep black humor. So if you like things a little nastier for once, and if you like laughing at humor outside the mainstream, this is a film you definitely shouldn't miss. Absolutely recommendable

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp