Guarding Tess (1994)

Nicolas Cage stars in this drama-comedy about a Secret Service agent unable to get out of his assignment watching over an exasperating former first lady (Shirley MacLaine). The two get along like oil and water, but when MacLaine's bored widow ends up kidnapped, Cage's agent becomes a determined avenger. While the pairing of these two actors in a movie isn't something most audiences would ever have considered, that's what makes it so much fun. Cage and MacLaine are brilliantly focused in their respective parts, and filmmaker Hugh Wilson brings an unusually solid and urgent feeling to a story that might have become a dismissible light comedy in another director's hands. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

Guarding Tess

THis is a favourite and a fun movie. Shirley MacLaine does a wondeful performance of an ex-First Lady who knows she is in the middle of nowhere with not much of a life. Nicolas Cage is great as the annoyed head of her security detail. The DVD arrived quickly and in great shape. May 3, 2008

Yes, Ma'am!

That's the answer everyone gives Tess Carlisle (MacLaine) if they know what's good for them.

SAIC (that's Special Agent in Charge) Doug Chesnic wants to leave Tess' detail. He's been there three years and he wants to go back to Washington where the action is. Well, and besides, Tess Carlisle is driving him nuts.

He gets as far as the Director of the Secret Service's inner office only to be told that Mrs. Carlisle called the President and wants him back. What choice has he, but to go.

Doug thinks he's going to be tough on her, but the battle of wills between the two of them has none other than the President mediating when Tess can't win herself.

The film's a battle royale between two very strong-willed characters, but in the end when the chips are down, these two people take care of each other.

"Guarding Tess" is one of those surprise films that ends so well the bickering at the front's almost erased. It's just a good watch occasionally when you need to take some stress off. January 31, 2008

Great!

Shirley McLaine is really convincing in this role as a rather difficult aging public figure, the widow of the deceased VP. Her co-star was a good match as well. I loved the movie. January 16, 2008

Great Movie!

Maclaine plays a former First Lady who is a real piece of work, Cage is a Secret service man, the storie is funny and touching at the same time, I think is one of their best movies. December 7, 2007

Best of MacLaine and Cage, a great movie

Comedy, drama, and presidential families docu-drama, this movie has everything except nude sex, bloody violence, and profanities. October 20, 2007

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