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IMDbPro

The Guard

  • 20112011
  • RR
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
90K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,332
157
Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson in The Guard (2011)
An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is teamed up with an uptight FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.
Play trailer1:34
2 Videos
55 Photos
ComedyCrimeThriller
An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
90K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,332
157
    • John Michael McDonagh
    • John Michael McDonagh
  • Stars
    • Brendan Gleeson
    • Don Cheadle
    • Mark Strong
    • John Michael McDonagh
    • John Michael McDonagh
  • Stars
    • Brendan Gleeson
    • Don Cheadle
    • Mark Strong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 180User reviews
    • 262Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award

    Videos2

    The Guard - International Trailer
    Trailer 1:34
    Watch The Guard - International Trailer
    The Guard - U.S. Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Watch The Guard - U.S. Trailer

    Photos55

    Brendan Gleeson, Dominique McElligott, and Sarah Greene in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson and Dominique McElligott in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson and Mícheál Óg Lane in The Guard (2011)
    Don Cheadle in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson and Katarina Cas in The Guard (2011)
    Liam Cunningham, Mark Strong, and David Wilmot in The Guard (2011)
    Dominique McElligott and Sarah Greene in The Guard (2011)
    Brendan Gleeson in The Guard (2011)
    Don Cheadle in The Guard (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brendan Gleeson
    Brendan Gleeson
    • Gerry Boyle
    Don Cheadle
    Don Cheadle
    • FBI Agent Wendell Everett
    Mark Strong
    Mark Strong
    • Clive Cornell
    Ronan Collins
    • Young Man in Car
    Paraic Nialand
    • Young Man in Car
    John Patrick Beirne
    • Young Man in Car
    Liam O'Conghaile
    • Young Man in Car
    Christopher Kilmartin
    • Young Man in Car
    Rory Keenan
    Rory Keenan
    • Aidan McBride
    Declan Mannlen
    • James McCormick
    • (as Declan Mannion)
    Laurence Kinlan
    Laurence Kinlan
    • Photographer
    Mícheál Óg Lane
    Mícheál Óg Lane
    • Eugene Moloney
    Liam Cunningham
    Liam Cunningham
    • Francis Sheehy-Skeffington
    Owen Sharpe
    Owen Sharpe
    • Billy Devaney
    Fionnula Flanagan
    Fionnula Flanagan
    • Eileen Boyle
    Wale Ojo
    Wale Ojo
    • Doctor Oleyuwo
    Mark O'Halloran
    Mark O'Halloran
    • Garda No. 1
    Gary Lydon
    • Gerry Stanton
      • John Michael McDonagh
      • John Michael McDonagh
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film's director and writer, John Michael McDonagh, is the brother of Martin McDonagh, who had directed Gleeson in the Oscar-winning Six Shooter (2004) and the critically acclaimed In Bruges (2008).
    • Goofs
      When swimming in the sea Gerry has no gloves and cold red hands. On emerging from the sea to greet Wendell he is wearing wet suit gloves.
    • Quotes

      Sergeant Gerry Boyle: There were gay lads in the IRA?

      Colum Hennessey: Mmm... one or two.

      [Shrugs]

      Colum Hennessey: It was the only way we could successfully infiltrate the MI5.

    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock Star
      Written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo

      Performed by N.E.R.D.

    User reviews180

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    One of the finest surprises this year has brought to me
    "The Guard" is definitely a movie to recommend. Its beautiful simplicity, provoking colors and incredibly witty lines simply make this a small masterpiece. I haven't expected a thing, but it does seem that this directorial surname becomes something to be kept close within the radar.

    It has somewhat of that Warhal-like touch to it within the play of multiple strong colors and nuances, where it is visually provoking and satisfying, easy to relate and almost as easy to touch. Along with remarkable scenery and those absolutely sets details, the roles are accordingly brilliant.

    Brendan is more than expectedly good and from my point of view, this might just be his best role so far (though all are excellent). The easiness and the flow make the movie a cake one swallows easily. Though grim at all times, it puts a big smile on a face from the first moment.

    Unpretentious and fresh, it has a tiny nuance of early '90 movies such as "Pulp Fiction", but unlike others, the directing made it look absolutely different. It is unpredictable at all times, yet one keeps waiting for Gleeson's next line. Probably one of my favorites for some time. Will watch again, definitely.

    As for the language, I have to agree with the issue - English is not my native language but it was so awful trying to watch it with those unnatural subs in English. It took half of the fun and I simply turned it off and enjoyed it, understanding it easily. Being so lost in translation, it certainly will not be as great as it really is - even one line lost is too much for such a screenplay.

    I'm not an Irish, right. Yet I could identify easily with the characters and feel the ease. As for this year's movies I've seen so far, this was the biggest surprise and biggest satisfaction.

    With simple soundtrack which turns out fully unexpected towards the very end - much of a "Mexican standout", "The Guard" is truly a rewarding movie and a hope that there are still ways to make fresh ones to enjoy without having to compare or predict.
    helpful•22
    3
    • maxima-milli
    • Oct 14, 2011

    FAQ1

    • Who composed the incidental music for the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 7, 2011 (Ireland)
      • United Kingdom
      • Ireland
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
      • English
      • Irish Gaelic
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Barna, County Galway, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Reprisal Films
      • Element Pictures
      • Hindsight Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 36 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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