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IMDbPro

Guarding Tess

  • 19941994
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,794
680
Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
95 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A former U.S. First Lady wants a particular Secret Service agent to head her bodyguard detail, even though he can't stand her.A former U.S. First Lady wants a particular Secret Service agent to head her bodyguard detail, even though he can't stand her.A former U.S. First Lady wants a particular Secret Service agent to head her bodyguard detail, even though he can't stand her.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,794
680
  • Director
    • Hugh Wilson
  • Writers
    • Hugh Wilson
    • PJ Torokvei
  • Stars
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • Nicolas Cage
    • Austin Pendleton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Hugh Wilson
  • Writers
    • Hugh Wilson
    • PJ Torokvei
  • Stars
    • Shirley MacLaine
    • Nicolas Cage
    • Austin Pendleton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 71User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Guarding Tess
    Trailer 0:31
    Guarding Tess

    Photos95

    Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage, Shirley MacLaine, and Harry Lennix in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage in Guarding Tess (1994)
    Nicolas Cage in Guarding Tess (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Tess Carlisleas Tess Carlisle
    Nicolas Cage
    Nicolas Cage
    • Doug Chesnicas Doug Chesnic
    Austin Pendleton
    Austin Pendleton
    • Earl Fowleras Earl Fowler
    Edward Albert
    Edward Albert
    • Barry Carlisleas Barry Carlisle
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Howard Schaefferas Howard Schaeffer
    Richard Griffiths
    Richard Griffiths
    • Frederickas Frederick
    John Roselius
    John Roselius
    • Tom Bahloras Tom Bahlor
    David Graf
    David Graf
    • Lee Danielsonas Lee Danielson
    Don Yesso
    Don Yesso
    • Ralph Buoncristianias Ralph Buoncristiani
    James Lally
    • Joe Spectoras Joe Spector
    Brant von Hoffman
    Brant von Hoffman
    • Bob Hutchersonas Bob Hutcherson
    • (as Brant Von Hoffman)
    Harry Lennix
    Harry Lennix
    • Kenny Youngas Kenny Young
    • (as Harry J. Lennix)
    Susan Blommaert
    Susan Blommaert
    • Kimberly Cannonas Kimberly Cannon
    Dale Dye
    Dale Dye
    • Charles Ivyas Charles Ivy
    James Handy
    James Handy
    • Neal Carloas Neal Carlo
    Stephen S. Chen
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Katie O'Hare
    • Barbaraas Barbara
    Mark Conway
    • Caleb Harrisonas Caleb Harrison
    • Director
      • Hugh Wilson
    • Writers
      • Hugh Wilson
      • PJ Torokvei
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Stars Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage became great friends while filming due to their mutual love of animals and would go on to co-adopt many animals together, including a ferret named Whiskers and a Zebra named Mr. Zed.
    • Goofs
      When Doug is delivery the breakfast tray to Tess in bed, the boom mic is briefly visible.
    • Quotes

      Tess Carlisle: [implying Bob should called Doug, while in the canned goods aisle in the supermarket] It's got no price at all.

      Bob Hutcherson: [over the radio] Yes ma'am. Uh, Doug, this is Bobby in canned goods, are you anywhere near the manager? I need a price check on Lesieur baby peas, repeat, Lesieur baby peas.

      Doug Chesnic: Lesieur baby peas.

      Store Manager: They're on special today, two for .59.

      Doug Chesnic: [over the radio] They're on special today, two for .59.

      Bob Hutcherson: [over the radio] Uh, copy that, it's two for .59.

      Tess Carlisle: But I only want one.

      Bob Hutcherson: Uh, roger that, Doug, but she only wants one.

      Doug Chesnic: How much for just one?

      Store Manager: The same. It's a two for one thing.

      Doug Chesnic: [over the radio] Uh, Bobby, it's a two for one thing so I suggest you go ahead and get both.

      Bob Hutcherson: [over the radio] Uh, copy that Doug but I believe we've lost in interest in peas, repeat, lost interest in peas. Canned goods out.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Angie/China Moon/Greedy/Sirens/The Chase (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Madamina Il Catologo e Questro
      from Don Giovanni

      Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

      Performed by Giuseppe Taddei

      with The Philharmonia Orchestra

      Conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini

      Courtesy of EMI Classics

      Under license from CEMA Special Markets

    User reviews71

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Likable Film!
    Guarding Tess is a light, likable film that has good intentions and is easily entertaining. However, it is pretty forgettable and this film has similar themes and plot points as the much better film, Driving Miss Daisy. Both films are about a younger guy and an older woman going at it with each other before their relationship improved. But all in all, this is a good, light-hearted film.

    Hugh Wilson's film is about a Special Agent Douglas who has been trained for the very best. Instead, he is assigned to keep watch over former First Lady Tess Carlisle. We realize that these two people have nothing in common and is very hard to get along.

    The acting is solid. Shirley MacLaine is one of Hollywood's best and rumor has it that this role is very similar to her real-life persona. But, she was magnificent here. Nicolas Cage is also good and his role is very restrained for once. There are other wonderful 90's character actors that take up the screen including Richard Griffiths and James Rebhorn.

    Overall, this is a delightful, mild-mannered film about two people with nothing in common defying odds so that they begin to respect each other. This is labeled as a comedy, but I can't see why. I hardly laughed, but this works very well as a drama. This film reminds me greatly of Driving Miss Daisy and I think that's a good thing. I rate this film 8/10.
    helpful•11
    2
    • g-bodyl
    • Jul 24, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 11, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Охоронець Тесс
    • Filming locations
      • 9690 Deerco Road, Timonium, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • Channel Films
      • TriStar Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $27,058,304
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,065,213
      • Mar 13, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,058,304
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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