Year of Release: 1992
Director: Mick Jackson
Starring: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs, Ralph Waite, Tomas Arana, Michele Lamar Richards, Mike Starr, Gerry Bamman, DeVaughn Nixon, Christopher Birt, Joe Urla
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3
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Synopsis and Review:
Following the well received "LA Story", British film maker Mick Jackson, tackled what has since then, become his biggest hit, "The Bodyguard". The film follows the story of Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service Agent, now working as a professional bodyguard. He reluctantly takes on a new assignment, protecting Rachel Marron, an actress/singer, who has been receiving menacing threats from a stalker. These apparently harmless threats escalate to an actual attack, forcing her and her entourage to take the situation more seriously and hire Frank. These two individuals with their strong sense of control and propriety are forced to work together. This professional relationship, soon evolves into an amorous one, something that jeopardizes the security of everyone. As both Frank and Rachel decide to move beyond that romantic liaison, the constant threat, and nearby rivalries, keep everyone alert and fearful for their safety.
"The Bodyguard" turned out to be one of the biggest hits of 1992 (dethroned worldwide by the amazing success of Disney's "Aladdin"). It's the first screenplay ever written by celebrated writer/director Lawrence Kasdan, and the first film role of late Pop/R&B superstar, Whitney Houston. Originally written in the 70s, the film is remarkably thin, both in terms of characters motivations and the thriller aspect of the narrative. It's a rather formulaic film, offering nothing particularly original or creative, not even succeeding in terms of the rapport between the two leads. The last section of the film in particular, with the Oscar ceremony as the backdrop for the final coup, almost comes across as an involuntary spoof, a la "Nake Gun", without being quite as funny or over the top. Kevin Costner then coming off "Dances with Wolves", Kevin Reynolds's "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", was enjoying his moment in the sun, which would quickly die down (with the unfortunate "Waterworld", followed by his savagely ridiculed "The Postman"), while this would further cement Whitney Houston's popularity (the soundtrack would go on to become the largest selling soundtrack of all times). With all the talent involved, it's a film that has remarkably short rewards.
"The Bodyguard" turned out to be one of the biggest hits of 1992 (dethroned worldwide by the amazing success of Disney's "Aladdin"). It's the first screenplay ever written by celebrated writer/director Lawrence Kasdan, and the first film role of late Pop/R&B superstar, Whitney Houston. Originally written in the 70s, the film is remarkably thin, both in terms of characters motivations and the thriller aspect of the narrative. It's a rather formulaic film, offering nothing particularly original or creative, not even succeeding in terms of the rapport between the two leads. The last section of the film in particular, with the Oscar ceremony as the backdrop for the final coup, almost comes across as an involuntary spoof, a la "Nake Gun", without being quite as funny or over the top. Kevin Costner then coming off "Dances with Wolves", Kevin Reynolds's "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", was enjoying his moment in the sun, which would quickly die down (with the unfortunate "Waterworld", followed by his savagely ridiculed "The Postman"), while this would further cement Whitney Houston's popularity (the soundtrack would go on to become the largest selling soundtrack of all times). With all the talent involved, it's a film that has remarkably short rewards.
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