Review of The Guard (2011) by Jeremy T — 07 Jan 2012

The Guard has got to be the most eccentric dark comedy that I've seen in quite some time. This film is not perfect by any means, but I sure enjoyed every moment of it. Brendan Gleeson is terrific in his role, and Don Cheadle s always a pleasure to watch on-screen.

The film mixes dark humour with dramatic elements to create a different type of crime film. Like I stated, this film is a dark comedy with serious elements. Director John Michael McDonaugh does a wonderful job directing here, and with a great cast, he delivers a very good, entertaining film.

The Guard's strength lies in the performance of Gleeson who lights up the screen with one of his career's best performances. Though the comedic bits lie primarily in the dialogue, if you have a sharp ear, you'll get the gags.

Even if you don't at times, Gleeson's on-screen antics make up for it, and you realize how wonderful he is on film. This is one of 2011's best comedic films. Even though it's not really a straight forward comedic experience, it's far better than most comedies that have out during the year.

I loved this film, and though it wasn't flawless, it was definitely a fun film to watch. The Guard may be at times slow, but for the most part, there's always something going on to keep you interested in the films story.

When you have a lead like Brendan Gleeson, it's hard not to like this film. A worthy dark comedic experience you won't forget.