Saint Patrick's Day: 10 Movies That Represent 'Irishness' Best

2. The Guard (2011)

In Bruges (2008) director Martin McDonagh handed the reigns over to his brother John Michael for his attempt at cleverly witty dark comedy. Brendan Gleeson makes yet another appearance on this list, this time in a Golden Globe nominated performance as an unorthodox police in the West of Ireland. Set in the rural Connemara Gaeltacht (Irish language speaking community), Sergeant Gerry Boyle is a down to earth, yet often eccentric who has unhappily become involved in the solving of a series of murders involving a major drugs cartel. Alongside him is the straight laced FBI agent Wendell Everett, played by star Don Cheadle. Like In Bruges (2008), Gleeson and Cheadle have incredible chemistry, with some very funny interactions occurring between the two. Breaking the Irish box office record, previously set by Ken Loach's previous inclusion, in 2011, The Guard probably surpasses In Bruges (2008) in terms of its smart underlying wit, screenplay and overall dialogue. Yet as a whole, the scales may tip slightly in favour of the Belgian based hit.