“I thought only black lads were drug dealers … and Mexicans?” interrupts Galway Garda Sergeant Gerry Boyle as the visiting (black) FBI agent Wendell Everett is delivering his briefing. I groaned as I watched this clip before being persuaded to go along and see The Guard.
However, my fear that this would be In the Heat of The Night played for cheap laughs was entirely misplaced. It is a light, whimsical film with an outstanding performance by Brendan Gleeson as the eponymous policeman who has a touch of the Lieutenant Columbo about him – outwardly simple with an underlying depth and intelligence.
The villains too are multi-dimensional. Whilst undoubtably ruthless they are also capable of discussing the writings of various philosophers as they drive through the night, and in this I was reminded of some of Vincent and Jules’ conversations in Pulp Fiction.
It’s a fantastic, funny debut by writer and director John Michael McDonagh and I look forward to seeing more from him soon.
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