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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Hugh Wilson (written by) &
Peter Torokvei (written by)
Release Date:
11 March 1994 (USA) more
Tagline:
A comedy beyond the call of duty.
Plot:
A former First Lady of the US wants a particular Secret Service agent to head her bodyguard detail, even though he can't stand her. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
tMF Oscarwatch: Nic Cage ready for his 3rd Oscar nom?
(From The Movie Fanatic. 12 October 2009, 6:40 AM, PDT)
tMF Oscarwatch: Nic Cage ready for his 3rd Oscar nom?
(From The Movie Fanatic. 12 October 2009, 6:40 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
fun film, good acting more (31 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Nicolas Cage | ... | Doug Chesnic | |
| Shirley MacLaine | ... | Tess Carlisle | |
| Austin Pendleton | ... | Earl Fowler | |
| Edward Albert | ... | Barry Carlisle | |
| James Rebhorn | ... | Howard Schaeffer | |
| Richard Griffiths | ... | Frederick | |
| John Roselius | ... | Tom Bahlor | |
| David Graf | ... | Lee Danielson | |
| Don Yesso | ... | Ralph Buoncristiani | |
| James Lally | ... | Joe Spector | |
| Brant von Hoffman | ... | Bob Hutcherson | |
| Harry Lennix | ... | Kenny Young | |
| Susan Blommaert | ... | Kimberly Cannon | |
| Dale Dye | ... | Charles Ivy | |
| James Handy | ... | Neal Carlo |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Certification:
Iceland:L | Canada:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Philippines:G | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-10/7 | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL (video premiere) | Norway:10 | Peru:14 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
George Clooney auditioned for just one line in this movie but it never made it to the screen. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: When reporting the last know location of Mrs. Carlisle's Lincoln, Agent Chesnic reports her vehicle heading East at the Chester Exit off Interstate 71. However, Chester, Ohio is located in Rural Southeastern Ohio; nowhere near an interstate. more
Quotes:
Tess Carlisle:
I have some exciting news for you. I have an inoperable brain tumor.
[pause]
Tess Carlisle:
I have bought you and your men a scud missile launcher.
[pause]
Tess Carlisle:
We are going to the opera in Columbus. Which of those do you think is true?
Doug Chesnic:
When?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Holiday (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Overture more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (31 total)
Message Boards
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Nicholas Cage is "Guarding Tess" in this 1994 film starring Shirley MacLaine, Austin Pendleton, Edward Albert, Richard Griffiths, and James Rebhorn. Shirley MacLaine is a much beloved ex-first lady who has Secret Service protection, and one of her protectees, Doug Chesnic (Cage) is thrilled when his round of duty is over. However, Tess makes a request of the president (her husband's vice president) to let Doug stay on a little longer. Annoyed, Doug starts standing up to her more, bringing on himself the wrath of the President of United States, who's sick of hearing from her. Doug and Tess finally start bonding - she in a way she could never do with her own son - and then something happens that threatens both of them in different ways.
I love Nicholas Cage in comedy - "Honeymoon in Vegas" comes to mind - and he has some hilarious moments in this as Tess and his situation become more aggravating to him. He does a terrific job. Shirley MacLaine is wonderful as Tess - feisty, annoying, vulnerable, and sad.
This is a very sweet and funny film and not at all cloying. It's a little contrived; however, the performances really make it a good rental.