The Guard: Cynical, Hysterical Cop Comedy

If Sundance teaches you anything, it teaches that you sometimes have to go with your gut in selecting a film. I nearly skipped this gem because of IndieWire’s lukewarm review, and I’m glad I didn’t. This movie was like Simon Pegg’s “Hot Fuzz” with a little more edge, and funnier gags. Brendon Gleeson was the perfect cast member, and Don Cheadle was an excellent supporting player. The story is about a somewhat unconventional cop played by Gleeson who gets involved in an international drug trafficking case when one of the suspects turns up dead in his jurisdiction. The movie clearly stays on the side of comedy without any searching depth of emotion like a similar film “In Bruges” made by the director’s brother a few years ago. Overall, a great addition to Sundance and the witty comedy genre. (4.5 out of 5).