While “The Guard” is a comedic take on crooked cops, extortion, and murder, the draw is the involving character interaction of two diverse lawmen. Set in an Ireland township, Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle shine in the respective roles of Sgt. Gerry Boyle and FBI officer Wendell Everett. Crude, fun-loving and ill-mannered Boyle and no-nonsense, puritanical Everett clash when the latter arrives on the scene to investigate a drug smuggling operation.
Writer- director John Michael McDonagh (brother of “In Bruges” director Martin McDonagh) offers an odd couple pairing in a buddy cop film of Gleeson and Cheadle’s characters needing to join forces to settle the pending case. In integral supporting roles of heavies well-played by Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham and David Wilmot as hoods, there are well-integrated moments of drama, action, and quippy dialogue. “The Guard” plays out in a venture of comedy, action and the unique combo of Gleeson and Cheadle; each does his own thing with entertaining and satisfying results.
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