Un ange gardien pour Tess

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.

This perfect little gem of a movie deserves watching. With such a wonderful cast and such a great script, if this movie has any fault at all, it is under-appreciation. Shirley and Nick play off each other like the pros they are. The photography is on cue, the pace is keen and the underlying message of learning to love and care for what you have instead of squandering your energies on unrealistic ambitions is heart-warming. Among the many great moments are the calls from the President, Tess's temper tantrums, the scene at the opera, the "stand-off" in the car, and Tess's last scene from the hospital. I don't think this submission contains spoilers, but if they are, they're harmless. Please, please see this film.

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.

As I'm choosing which is going to be the 53rd Nicolas Cage romp for me to see, I'm thinking old-school throwback comedies just can't go wrong... And, surely enough, they don't. "Guarding Tess" is a dramedy with a good, solid heart that lies in the unprecedented chemistry between Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine. A well familiar tale with some peculiar oddities, and an uneven nature.

Shirley MacLaine plays Tess Carlisle, a former U.S. First Lady, and as such, she has bodyguards, the leader of whom has been Secret Service agent Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage). Doug's assignment is finally over, and he can't wait to get back to more action, but Tess knows exactly who she wants beside her, even though she can't stand him...

Ain't the first, or the last, time when two marginally different souls get put together, fight through the differences, learn to respect and love each other. "Guarding Tess" is a story like that, and not the worst example. Hugh Wilson directs and uneven script, that's saved again and again by the top notch main performances. Nicolas Cage has found ground, stable ground, and offers up a cool, content, serious, yet amusing performance, and on the other side is veteran actress Shirley MacLaine, ranging Tess from a witching meanie to a sweet old lady, and being in absolute sync with Cage. The pretty straight-forward script doesn't provide a lot laughs, amusement might be a better word for it, and the film eventually takes an odd direction. Rather than to continue being what it is, a clever and sweet, soft comedy that relies on its characters, "Guarding Tess" almost becomes a thriller nearing the end, showing that the idea sort of had no way to go. Nonetheless, it all ends with a warm smile, and ultimately "Guarding Tess" is a very likeable film, where the performances do more than enough to carry the spirit successfully, although the two titans didn't leave a lot of room for the rather commendable supporting cast, including Austin Pendleton and Richard Griffiths.

Perhaps a little watery, inconsistent and mighty straight-forward, but a rightful tale, and hearty amusement, for any age, any soul, plus Cage simply doesn't fail. My rating: 6/10.

I have to admit, in some strange way, I enjoyed Guarding Tess very much. Despite it being predictable and they could have worked the comedy a little better, especially with Shirly, I think this was a decent little movie that anyone could enjoy. I think Shirly and Nicolas has very good chemistry. Nick also did a great performance for such a small movie, I felt for him so much in the end. You'll see what I mean on that part, I think we all could feel for him. It's just a nice movie that has some very heart touching moments, so I would recommend for a Saturday afternoon. I think you'll enjoy it.

7/10