Brendan Gleason (Sgt. Gerry Boyle) seems to be a rather crude, robust member of An Garda Síochána on the remote coast of Connemara, in the west of Ireland. We meet him first, “investigating” a drug-fuelled teenage car crash with basic but strangely thoughtful approach showing a glimpse of humanity under the crusty shell. The language throughout is colourful to say the least and conveyed at natural speed in a very convincing west Galway accent, but it shoots past at a great rate and you have to keep your ears attuned to pick up some lovely colloquialisms and peculiarly native phrases. Anyone who finds difficulty in the first 10 minutes, say, up until the conversation over the body of the first murder victim, should consider the “English with subtitles” option for clarity!
Called to a briefing in Galway City, provided by an assisting FBI agent, Boyle finds that his murder victim was member of a drug smuggling quartet. Taking this information back home with him he also finds out that, in the meantime, his new assistant, Garda Aidan McBride has gone missing. The plot takes a few peculiarly Irish twists and turns in the meantime, passing through a conversation about an arms dump find with the most unlikely IRA man in Ireland (Pat Shortt) – you’ll know him when you see him! And winds towards what you may well feel is coming, but which nevertheless leaves you with a grin on your face as it all plays out.
A short film at 98 minutes, but one which packs so much in it feels longer, is rich in detail, atmosphere and with one of the most unusual soundtracks of any Irish-based film in recent memory. It calls back elements of a spaghetti western and The Usual Suspects, but never really seems derivative or taking itself overly seriously, while leaving you with genuine feeling of familiarity and comfort from the characters. Not one to sit down with the all of the family after a hearty Christmas dinner, but with pizza and a couple of glasses on a cold Saturday night, it’d be just the ticket.
Certificate: 15
1 hour 36 min
Netflix / Prime
Director: John Michael McDonagh
Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong
