The Guard, Calvary

Reception
Reviews for The Guard were overwhelmingly positive. The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 95% approval rating with an average rating of 7.6/10 based on 125 reviews. The website’s consensus reads, “A violent, crackerjack comedy with a strong Irish flavor and an eminently likable Brendan Gleeson in the main role.” On Metacritic, the film has a score of 78 out of 100, based on reviews from 29 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.

In The Hollywood Reporter, Todd McCarthy wrote: “Scabrous, profane, violent, verbally adroit and very often hilarious, this twisted and exceptionally accomplished variation on the buddy-cop format is capped by a protean performance by Brendan Gleeson a defiantly iconoclastic West of Ireland policeman.” Vanity Fair’s John Lopez wrote: “So far, The Guard has been the most thoroughly enjoyable film experience at Sundance, a nice change of pace from the anomie, alienated angst and melancholy of other films.” In Screen International, David D’Arcy wrote: “As a director, McDonagh avoids the grand gesture and focuses on his web of odd characters that call to mind the comedies of Preston Sturges.” Justin Chang of Variety wrote: “The film making crackles with energy, from Chris Gill’s crisp editing and Calexico’s ever-inventive score to d.p. Larry Smith’s dynamic camerawork, alternating between bright, almost candy-coloured interiors and shots of Galway’s grey, rugged landscape.”

In The Times, Wendy Ide wrote: “Without doubt the strongest debut film of the year so far, this sly, witty and provocative Irish black comedy is an exceptionally funny crowd-pleaser and a playful cine-literate exercise, laced with arcane movie references… Gleeson must be thanking whatever guardian angel oversees his career for the brothers McDonagh giving him two of his meatiest roles yet.”Georgie Hobbs of Little White Lies wrote: “Unexpectedly hilarious, The Guard is the triumphant directorial debut of Ned Kelly screenwriter (and brother of In Bruges director Martin), John Michael McDonagh… This confident film knows full well how funny it is, daring to provoke with unfettered ‘unPCness’ a-plenty.”