Flick of The Day: The Guard

Irish cinema has arguably never been any stronger then its current run of form. Gone are the days of producing twee American productions involving Leprachauns and Blarney. Today, a new generation of writers, actors and directors are producing compelling drama and daring genre breaking cinema that play to the strengths of modern Ireland. Actors like Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are international stars and yet still manage to find work at home while writer-directors like Martin McDonagh are thriving with films like In Bruges becoming big hits. It is a pleasure then to report that today's flick of the day, The Guard, is another Irish set triumph.

The Guard

An inky black comedy from John Michael McDonagh which is filmed on location in the west of Ireland, The Guard is a triumph on all fronts. A superb Brendan Gleeson is Sgt Gerry Boyle, a small town cop who is anything but conventional. From the outset he is profane, racist and without scruple and yet also utterly endearing and always hilarious. It is a darkly humorous performance from Gleeson, but not without nuance. Boyle is no fool and is never played as such. Boyle is on the hunt of a vicious gang of drug smugglers played by Liam Cunningham, David Wilmot and the always entertaining Mark Strong. Before long, Boyle is joined by an American FBI agent, Wendell Everett, played with aplomb by Don Cheadle. There is great chemistry between the two and the interplay drives the film towards its conclusion. The story is at times bleak but still manages to retain humour in even the darkest of scenes.

Gleeson's portrayal is the driving force behind the success of this film. In Gerry Boyle, he has created perhaps the ultimate iconoclast, an Irish action hero. It is a meaty role not some mere cipher, given depth by the scenes examining his relationship with his dying mother played by Fionnula Flanagan. For all the wise cracks, there is a good heart at the core of the film and you know that whatever way the plot pans out, Sgt Gerry Boyle will go his own way, and so it proves. Perhaps this is the role that will finally see Gleeson get the recognition he deserves. In a long career, there have been many highlights but not near enough recognition. 

It helps of course that the cast have a great script to work with and it delivers on all counts. The script is wonderfully profane, without ever being heavy handed. In my humble opinion, it portrays people from the west and the Gardai in general as they are. It isn't condescending or mocking in tone and it would be a mistake to pre judge the film. A great film.