Guarding Tess (1994)

Director:

Hugh Wilson

Writers (WGA):

Hugh Wilson (written by) &
Peter Torokvei (written by)

Release Date:

11 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

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.

Plot Keywords:

Secret Service | U.S. President | Bodyguard | Widow | First Lady

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

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

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | SDDS

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:

9690 Deerco Road, Timonium, Maryland, USA

Company:

Channel Films

Trivia:

George Clooney auditioned for just one line in this movie but it never made it to the screen.

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.

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?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

Overture

fun film, good acting

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.