Guarding Tess (1994)

A former U.S. First Lady wants a particular Secret Service agent to head her bodyguard detail, even though he can't stand her.

Director:

Hugh Wilson

Writers:

Hugh Wilson, Pj Torokvei

Stars:

Shirley MacLaine, Nicolas Cage, Austin Pendleton

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Tess Carlisle
Nicolas Cage	...	Doug Chesnic
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 (as Brant Von Hoffman)
Harry Lennix	...	Kenny Young (as Harry J. Lennix)
Susan Blommaert	...	Kimberly Cannon
Dale Dye	...	Charles Ivy
James Handy	...	Neal Carlo

Storyline

Doug is a Secret Service Agent who has just completed his stint in charge protecting Tess Carlisle, widow of a former U.S. President, and close personal friend of the President. He finds that she has requested that he not be rotated but instead return to be her permanent detail. Doug is crushed. He wants off her detail. She is very difficult to guard and makes her detail crazy with her whims and demands. Doug returns with no idea of how to continue dealing with her.

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Plot Keywords:

secret service | bodyguard | u.s. president | widow | reference to spiro agnew | 

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Taglines:

She's a former First Lady. He's a top agent in the Secret Service, stuck in the worst assignment of all.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un ange gardien pour Tess

Filming Locations:

9690 Deerco Road, Timonium, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$27,053,498

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Films, TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The President calls Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage) to inform him that Tess Carlisle (Shirley MacLaine) has refused Secret Service protection. The President refers to Tess Carlisle as "A National Treasure". Nicolas Cage, of course, stars in the National Treasure series of films in 2004 and 2007.

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Goofs

The plot includes two interactions with the local sheriff's department. Uniforms and vehicle markings for all 88 counties of the 7th most populated state of the US are standardized and dictated by Ohio law. The uniforms and cruisers depicted are not remotely close.

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Quotes

Tess Carlisle: [in her bedroom] 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?

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Connections

Referenced in Drunk History: Whistleblowers (2019)

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Soundtracks

Joy To The World
Written by Isaac Watts (uncredited) and Lowell Mason (uncredited)
Courtesy of Capitol/OGM Production Music

User Reviews

A good, old-fashioned comedy

Guarding Tess is a film that relies on character and dialogue for its impact rather than flashy special effects or frenetic action. The humour is subtle rather than sledge-hammer, a rare achievement for a modern comedy.

The interaction between the eponymous Tess (Shirley MacLaine) and her chief minder (Nicholas Cage)is well scripted and beautifully played. There are also some fine supporting performances from the likes of Richard Griffiths.

Well worth investing 90 minutes of your time to watch.