The Guard (2011)

Due to the fact that "The Guard" was written and directed by John Michael McDonagh - brother of Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) - I was waiting for this film for a long time. But it did not entirely live up to my expectations.

The movie is about a strange, cynical Irish cop in a small, petty hicktown, who coincidentally gets involved in a big case. He is played wonderfully by a charismatic Brendan Gleeson who is sympathic even though his character is actually not very nice at all. He has a real problem with authority and foulmouth, rude humor.

After a mysterious murder the FBI appears in the town in person of Don Cheadle ("Hotel Ruanda"), a very responsible, good man. He reports that some members of the orginized crime are about to make a gigantic drug deal in the area. As clichéd as it may be, this crime comedy around these two very different characters who are forced to investigate and solve the case together really works.

It's not only NOT a very original premise, it is also not a very interesting plot. While "In Bruges" had a very clever, interesting story, "The Guard" can not match up to it on that level.
The tale is as simple as it sounds and especially towards the end the crime story is really flat.

BUT that is not what it's all about. The good script and the great acting achievements of the protagonists help to keep the story going. There is really good chemistry between Gleeson and Cheadle. The dialogue is exquisitely off-key and the rapid exchanges are very funny often times.

Also the characters are not as superficial as the story. Gleeson nicely pretends to be the clueless, indifferent chump but in fact reveals that he is much smarter and also much more sensitive than you might think in the beginning. Liam Cunningham and his weird gang also do a very good job.

Overall it is written well and distinctive and it's an amusing time with a good cast and some quirky set pieces but without much of a story. If you missed it in theaters there is no reason to feel bad about. You'll be fine just see it on DVD.