A dark comedy/western hybrid set in Ireland isn’t the most common sub-genre to come across. Smart, funny, and with genuine stakes, writer-director John Michael McDonagh‘s The Guard is a terrific tale featuring a potentially-iconic protagonist.
Sgt. Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) is a mystery from the first frame. Is he stupid? Is he smart? Is he a bit of both? The journey to the answer is as dynamic as it is fun, showcasing Gleeson’s bored, button-pusher cop transform into a man of action. Boyle is in a world full of corruption, an eclectic mix of villains wrapped in utter ignorance.
A major part of that ignorance comes from, of course, the sole American character, Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle). Everett isn’t the typical straight man; he’s perhaps more blind and boneheaded than the unique lead. Throughout the story Everett has no clue of his surroundings or what exactly is going on, while Boyle builds a meticulous plan.
The odd couple team up to stop an even odder bunch, a trio of drug runners smuggling half a billion dollars of “street value” cocaine. One quotes philosophy, one is clearly insane and the leader, Clive Cornell (played hilariously and subdued by Mark Strong), is tired of his dull profession. Clive is the perfect villain – although he never terrorizes Boyle, and actually admires the honorable police officer – because, like the lead, he’s bored with his job and has to deal with incompetent morons. The villains and the heroes are linked together. They shouldn’t be friends, and yet they are.
Every main character surprises in both actions and dialogue. Not unlike John Michael McDonagh’s brother, Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), he’s got a wonderful ear for witty, character-enhancing banter. All of it adds up to something worth knowing about those speaking, eliciting laughter throughout.
The Guard is near-perfect in both its narrative structure and pace, the story is constantly moving forward. There are little touches that propel the narrative, exemplifying how competent this McDonagh is as a storyteller.