The Guard (2011– 96 mins) Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle and Mark Strong

Brendan Gleeson has a knack of playing a smart ass character, sometimes bordering on down right assish, but making them generally like able. This Indy role is perhaps one of my favorites of his by far. He plays Sgt. Boyle, a small town Irish policeman, who is quite set in his ways and not in a rush to do a whole lot of anything. However, what he is, is quite street smart, and quite an investigator under a bit of a hard candy shell.

Enter FBI agent W. Everett (Cheadle). He’s over in Ireland from the US investigating some murders believed to be tied to a huge drug smuggling ring, which he has been investigating for some time. Besides being a bloody American Everett is black which is another thing that the locals aren’t very accustomed to having poking around in their affairs. Even Sgt. Boyle has his own brand of needling for the American on his soil.

Essentially this is an odd couple comedy cop movie. It’s still a decent story and some smart, funny writing. I think what works well is their quirky sense of chemistry. It’s a bit slow and shot a bit oddly but hey it’s an Indy and it looks like one (not a bad thing just that certain look to it). Both actors are great and even Mark Strong as one of the criminals turns in an excellent performance in a limited role. He continues to be quite the unsung actors of the last few years.

Verdict–> This isn’t the most main stream of comedies, but it’s a Indy version of the typical buddy cop film. It’s a funny enjoyable movie which I dug, but it’s not for everyone. If you enjoy Indys then you will like it, and it you like either of these actors you will likely enjoy it as well. A good indicator of how it’s shot and the humor in it, is the trailer. Check it out HERE (from IMDB) and if you like it you might enjoy the movie. But all in all a decent recommendation from me.

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