Powerful and thought-provoking, this tale of an Irish priest whose life is threatened in the opening scene isn't devoid of laughs, but it's by no means a comedy, centering more on faith and forgiveness. Brendan Gleeson (last blogged in The Company You Keep) is terrific as Father James, who joined the priesthood after his wife died. Kelly Reilly (most recently in Flight) plays his troubled daughter to perfection. Everyone in the cast is wonderful, especially Chris O'Dowd (last in The Sapphires) as the local butcher; Isaach De Bankolé (his face is familiar, probably from Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), and Battle in Seattle. And I have to mention a movie title in his credits that made me laugh. In English it's How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired (1989)) as the village's only non-white resident; and Gleeson's son Domhnall Gleeson (starred in About Time), nearly unrecognizable with his ginger hair dyed black.
Director/writer John Michael McDonagh's first feature The Guard, was very funny, and, as noted above, one gets glimpses of his comic touch here and there. Just listen to the swelling orchestrations and lovely vocals of the music by Patrick Cassidy in this youtube playlist, and you'll get an idea of the movie's tone.
The breathtaking locations in County Sligo, Ireland, were shot by Larry Smith (The Guard and more). Don't run out as the credits begin. You'll be treated to more location photography.
This is really good and will inspire discussion. You don't have to trust only Jack and me. Rotten Tomatoes' critics average 89% and audiences come in at 83.
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