This movie is the very definition of a sleeper. I don't remember hearing about it when it came out, even though it had Don Cheadle and Brendan Gleeson in it. Don is kind of hit and miss (although not nearly as much as Cuba Gooding, Jr.) but Brendan is usually pretty good no matter what. He reminds me of Brian Cox in that respect.
The movie is about an Irish police officer as he goes about his daily business. This business includes things such as frequenting hookers, covering up for teens who did stupid things and need a little help, and various other tasks that would not normally be ascribed to a law enforcement officer. I don't know that I would call this a buddy cop movie, but I can't think of another way to describe it.
Don comes along as the American with an on-again-off-again Southern accent who is in pursuit of a bunch of drug dealers that he, as a member of the CIA, has been tracking. He is trying to help the local constabulary find and apprehend the aforementioned bad guys. He is a very straight-shooter who follows the rules and assumes that other people are also upstanding, and he (and Americans, incidentally) is stereotyped that way in this movie. I can think of worse stereotypes.
The movie has a very, very dry humor that I particularly enjoy. Even the child actors have a deadpan acting that is absolutely hilarious. The dialogue is really the hero of the movie with so many memorable lines that it's hard to pick a favorite, but mine is probably Benden raising his hand in the middle of the briefing and saying, “I thought only black fellas were drug dealers." when it's pointed out that he's being racist, he responds by flatly stating, "I'm Irish sir. Racism is part of my culture."
There is little action in this movie, so don't expect any. The movie revels in the silences and awkward conversations, but not to the extent that it becomes a tiresome experience like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou or The Royal Tenenbaums. Instead, it has good, quirky characters with entertaining conversations and an unavoidable truth.
Acting was superb
Dialog was great
Story was very good
Direction was great
4.75/5