Happy 61st birthday to an Irish gem.
One of Ireland's greatest ever actors is celebrating another year and with that, we're ranking his top five roles in truly great movies.
A legendary Irish thespian who has delivered iconic and varied performances, while also being responsible for two more extraordinary acting talents in sons Domhnall and Brían, you'll go a long way to a find more respected entertainer in Ireland.
It will be difficult to choose our favourite, but we'll give it a go sure.
5. Green Zone
In this JOE's mind, Green Zone was an underrated turn by Gleeson.
Playing CIA Agent Martin Brown in the breathtakingly fast-paced Paul Greengrass action fick, Gleeson offers superb support to Matt Damon's lead character as a calm and steady authoritative figure of integrity who has other plans for Damon's US Army Chief Warrant Officer, Roy Miller.
Bonus marks here for a very convincing American accent and if you haven't seen Green Zone, you'd do a lot worse in giving it a gander.
https://youtu.be/2j5WMBdjwDw
Clip via YouTube/NFSmwVids
4. The Guard
Completely inappropriate, rude, arrogant, racist, void of any moral compass and, yet, something inherently endearing and competent exists in Brendan Gleeson's character in The Guard.
They are just a few ways to describe Garda Gerry Boyle, who enjoys a tried-and-tested odd couple relationship with Don Cheadle's FBI Agent, Wendell Everett.
The Guard divided opinion, but those who were in favour seemed to love it.
https://youtu.be/TnBDbZrvmFs
Clip via YouTube/Obi-Wan Kaczynski
3. Calvary
The same director as The Guard in the shape of John Michael McDonagh, but a very different Brendan Gleeson this time around.
Playing a stoic, thoughtful and honourable priest who is faced with a death threat from one of his parishioners, Father Lavelle's bravery in the midst of a crisis makes for fantastic viewing.
Supported by a wonderful cast in Chris O'Dowd, Dylan Moran and son Domhnall, Gleeson Snr steals the show as a man doing what he can to survive.
https://youtu.be/jTiV2xpKtCs
Clip via YouTube/Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Films
2. In Bruges
You'd be hard-pressed to find an Irish person who hasn't seen In Bruges, and for good reason as well.
The other McDonagh brother, Martin's modern day masterpiece is one of the best Irish black comedies of all time, and it's all down to the brilliant chemistry between the two leads; Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell.
Gleeson's Ken is full of character paradoxes; oozing class but a lethal assassin, full of pathos but an unrelatable ruthlessness, funny and caring but deadly and violent.
Ken is a bad man by trade but a kind soul in heart, and the audience fully realises this when it's all too late for our unorthodox protagonist.
A terrific performance.
https://youtu.be/5d6FBBWlu3k
Clip via YouTube/Dyer Maker
1. The General
This was a role that was very easy to get wrong, because Martin Cahill, otherwise known as The General, was known to be a charming and gregarious character at times, but he was, ultimately, an extremely dangerous criminal and murderer, who would also torture his own men, if they fell out of line.
It wasn't just Gleeson's appearance that proved to be strikingly similar to the crime boss here, because this performance was a tour de force that perfectly captured all the aspects of Cahill's character (and there were apparently plenty).
You can't help but like him, but you know that you really, really shouldn't.
Inspiring Kevin Spacey's Ordinary Decent Criminal, The General set up Gleeson for life in acting terms, and he has never looked back.
https://youtu.be/wq6TrW1fo-g
Clip via YouTube/ErnestGaskin
Honourable mentions: The Treaty (Michael Collins), Braveheart (Hamish), Gangs of New York (Walter 'Monk' McGinn), Into the Storm (Winston Churchill).
So, they are our top five choices. What are yours? Let us know by getting in touch on our WhatsApp number 087-4001102, editorial@JOE.ie or hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.
