The Guard

Sergeant Gerry Boyle, working in the west of Ireland, ignores the rules, pleases nobody and hides how clever he is. When FBI agent Wendell Everett arrives investigating a cocaine shipment, the two of them end up working together against their will. It is John Michael McDonagh's first feature. Brendan Gleeson plays Boyle and Don Cheadle plays Everett. On a 6 million dollar budget it grossed 21.2 million worldwide. In terms of Irish domestic box office it became the most successful independent Irish film ever, passing The Wind That Shakes the Barley from 2006. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 94 percent, with critics calling it a violent, crackerjack comedy with a strong Irish flavour. Metacritic gives it 78. Gleeson was nominated for a Golden Globe and McDonagh for a BAFTA for his screenplay. The film won Best Debut Film at the Berlin International Film Festival along with several Irish Film and Television Awards. Who it is for: viewers who like black humour and buddy cop comedy. Who it is not for: anyone expecting decorum. Much of what comes out of Boyle's mouth is deliberately offensive and the film feels no need to defend it.