
The Guard
2011, Comedy/Mystery & thriller, 1h 35m
138 Reviews 25,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
A violent, crackerjack comedy with a strong Irish flavor and an eminently likable Brendan Gleeson in the main role. Read critic reviews
You might also like

The American

13 Assassins

Monsters

Shutter Island

The Debt
Where to watch
The Guard Photos
Movie Info
A vulgar Irish cop (Brendan Gleeson) and a straight-laced American FBI agent (Don Cheadle) uncover police corruption among the former's superiors while probing a drug-trafficking ring.
Cast & Crew
Brendan Gleeson
Sergeant Gerry Boyle
Sergeant Gerry Boyle
Don Cheadle
FBI agent Wendell Everett
FBI agent Wendell Everett
Liam Cunningham
Francis Sheehy
Francis Sheehy
David Wilmot
Liam O'Leary
Liam O'Leary
Rory Keenan
Garda Aidan McBride
Garda Aidan McBride
Mark Strong
Clive Cornell
Clive Cornell
Critic Reviews for The Guard
Audience Reviews for The Guard
-
Feb 07, 2016It's hard to hate this film but it's also hard to really like, The crude irish tone and dark humour works very well but the story was rushed in places, But it's clever and the ending fitted the film well.Jamie C Super Reviewer
-
May 17, 2014[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]Directors C Super Reviewer
-
Jan 20, 2014Here we have a very underrated comedy/crime dark comedy with hints of unapologetic racism and even some anti-Americana flavor. The 'underrated' current state of <i>The Guard</i> can be probably attributed to its misleading publicity with the same intensity that <i>The American</i> (2010) received, but there is something you must keep in mind: it was directed by John Michael McDonagh, brother of Martin McDonagh, who brought us <i>In Bruges</i> (2008). Selling itself as an R-rated comedy, but not in the way that you think, this stylish and moderate brief ride - which should and could have been longer - borrows the cop buddy formula of the 80s (that is, teaming two confrontational leading roles as cops in order to work for a common purpose), but addresses it with clever and dark humor that only European cinema can apply so effectively. It also throws sentimentalisms and a conventional development of events off shore, resulting in a very refreshing take on the genre that will only please selected audiences, which are quite difficult to tackle. To sum up, this comedy will provide you with a simple story told in an unexpected way, and it is certainly not what its covers have suggested just to increase movie theater attendance. 68/100Edgar C Super Reviewer
-
Nov 08, 2013Fun while it lasts. Take that with some grains of salt.familiar s Super Reviewer
Verified