Rated 1E*

Beyond the ordinary and somewhat predictable cops and robbers (drug smugglers in this case) plot, the dialogue is filled with a fair amount of funny, off-beat, and in-your-face iconoclastic attacks on stereotypes.   For example, the bad guys quote from Schopenauer and Nietzsche.  The three smugglers engage in an ongoing philosophical conversation about the nature of being a drug smuggler.  While not particularly truly reflective, it fits in a plot with characters who themselves break stereotypes.  And there are layers to the stereotypes.  The protagonist is a rural Irish sergeant, who abides by his own set of rules, in a classic and somewhat overdone heroic mold.  The only thing he does not do is chain smoke.  The other protagonist is an African-American FBI agent sent to Ireland to catch the smugglers.  [plot spoiler] He graduated from prep school, Yale, and is a Rhodes Scholar.  Yet in another very subtle layer, he mentions his sons are named Stokely and Huey.  This is an obvious reference to two of the leaders of the Black Power Movement of the 60’s, Stokely Carmichael and Huey Newton.  You have to listen very carefully, over the heavy Irish brogue, to get all the lines.  It is sort of a version of In the Heat of the Night. 

The movie is set in Galway, Ireland, and I expected the usual “terrible beauty” of Ireland.  Instead, we saw very little scenery.  The cinematography was acceptable, and the editing was likewise acceptable.  There were a few bits that seemed to appear without appropriate reference, suggesting some cutting of set-ups, but overall, the film flowed well.

Brendan Gleeson, who plays the rural cop is superb.  Don Cheadle, who plays the FBI agent is a little erratic.  At moments, he is stiff and in others he utters profanity, while in character for cops in difficult circumstances, might have been better depicted straight.  The bad guys are in character, even with their somewhat absurd musings in metaphysics.  The discursions neither detract nor add much to the plot, but are likewise amusing.  The audience around us loved them (the discussions not the bad guys).  This is not, however, Hamlet.  They show no remorse, on the contrary, they note how much they enjoy their jobs as smugglers, simply noting the vagaries of such. 

There is a subplot regarding the sergeant’s dying mother.  I suppose it is intended to show another facet of the lead, but it does not achieve much. 

Ed (Associate Professor of Film at UNC) tells me that The Bad Lieutenant with Nicholas Cage, set in New Orleans, has a similar plot.  I have not seen this movie, so I cannot compare them. 

The Guard is neither a light comedy nor a thriller.  It likely purports to tell some profound thoughts about stereotypes, but it fails there too.  That noted, it is highly amusing, with funny dialogue throughout. 

While there is a fair amount of violence, it is in the form of gun fights, without much blood displayed.  There is reference to sex, but nothing explicit shown. 

Reading my review, you might get the impression that I did not like this film, to the contrary, it was one of the better films I have seen this summer.  It is sufficiently funny to be worth seeing and the plot is sufficiently interesting to keep your attention throughout.  I guess, I would only suggest that you do not expect more than that.

I recommend this movie as a 1E, it is very enjoyable from beginning to end, despite being somewhat predictable.  It does not get a 2 rating because of the predictability.  It is a fun evening at the movies, but nothing that cannot be seen as a rental.

Kind regards,

Steve

G. Stephen DeCherney, MD, MPH
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology
University of North Carolina School of Medicine

*The rating system is:

2 - a must-see movie that can be seen more than once, and makes a significant contribution to a movie collection.
1 - the movie is worth seeing.
0 - not worth seeing

E - the movie is entertaining
I - the movie is thought provoking