The Guard

Details

Release year: 2011

Storyline

An unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.

Top credits

Awards

0 wins & 1 nomination

Did you know

• The question of Sgt Boyle's survival is hinted at throughout: he had gone to Disneyland one year ago, hence he had a valid passport (at least of one year ago--although he potentially wouldn't be making the sort of escape requiring a passport anyhow). It is frequently emphasized Boyle is an excellent swimmer, even shown causally swimming laps in rough coastal waters at one point, and suggesting this is a weekly regime. In a seemingly inconsequential plot digression, Boyle returns an IRA gun stash (minus the three 'missing' guns he prognostically keeps himself), and is shown to have amiable upper-level IRA connections. He then makes a point of first reminding his IRA contact--then insisting--a favour done is a favour owed, which his contact says he will request from the "high command". Immediately preceding the climatic drug bust, Boyle accepts the suicidal nature of his plan, noting Garda collusion with the traffickers, lamenting how Everett can safely return home to America, while implying relentless, powerful forces on both sides of the law will leave himself with no quarter anywhere in Ireland. Just before this, he bids final farewell to McBride's wife, making clear he expects to never see her again--anticipating his likely demise, or cunningly seeding future 'evidence' of this for any antagonistic parties looking to confirm it. He had an opportunity to pick up cash on the drug boat (this is arguable, he'd have to swim with it; regardless, by definition drug boats carry drugs, not cash; this was not a point-of-sale, international traffickers know--for the very reason shown here--not to have an iota of unnecessary extra exposure at any given place or time). His mother passing leaves him no family or other obligations keeping him in Ireland. Finally, "Leaving on a Jet Plane" plays over the closing credits. There were also at one point rumours of a sequel.

• 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).

• The film Sgt Boyle is watching at home is The Shout (1978) starring Alan Bates and John Hurt.

Box Office

Gross (Domestic): $5,360,274

Opening Weekend (Domestic): $76,834 (2011-07-31)