GUARDING TESS
A film review by Brian Parker
Copyright 1994 Brian Parker
GUARDING TESS DIRECTED BY: Hugh Wilson MPAA RATING: PG-13 RUNNING TIME: 96 Minutes
Two clever, entertaining movies featuring Secret Service characters have dominated screens recently. Last year, it was the dramatic IN THE LINE OF FIRE. Now, it's the comic turn GUARDING TESS in which we're given a different look at the everyday hassles of protecting important public figures. This surprisingly off-beat, character-driven comedy features the great duet of Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage. They have so much comic chemistry that one wonders why it took Hollywood so long to bring them together.
When Secret Service agent Doug Chesnic (Cage) has had enough of the fussy, bossy, widowed ex-First Lady he's been assigned to protect, he tries for a new post. He's sent right back in to guard Tess (MacLaine) at the behest of the President of the United States, (played over the phone to comic perfection by the director himself, Hugh Wilson).
Doug is trapped in the detail from hell and our laughter doesn't stop as we're treated to memorable scenes: on a golf course, in an opera house, and in her motorcade. Although the agent is in a compromising position, the two leads prove worthy adversaries. Cage's tough Chesnic is every bit an equal to MacLaine's crusty Tess. By the time the two come to terms, the by-the-book agent has learned to loosen up and embrace life, and the cantankerous First Lady has emerged from her hard shell.
The plot excellently maneuvers through a believable storyline laced with hilarious jokes and poignant, touching insights into the private lives of the powerful. This comic drama has a Capra-esque populist charm. It manages to be that most rewarding type of film that makes you laugh and cry.
Anyone who has had a nightmare boss, a domineering mother or nagging spouse will relate to the funny battle of wills. We come to admire Tess so much that we hope she's a mirror to future First Ladies of a special-spirit and integrity.
"Tess", is one of those rare movies that comes to an end sooner than you want it to.
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