Guarding Tess (1994)

59% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(19,133 ratings)

A man trained for a life of excitement and danger is given a new and unexpected challenge -- minding a grouchy old woman -- in this comedy. Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage) is a Secret Service agent who takes great pride in his job, performing his duties with the utmost professionalism and always minding… More A man trained for a life of excitement and danger is given a new and unexpected challenge -- minding a grouchy old woman -- in this comedy. Doug Chesnic (Nicolas Cage) is a Secret Service agent who takes great pride in his job, performing his duties with the utmost professionalism and always minding the details. However, his assignment for the last three years has been a severe test of his patience; Tess Carlisle (Shirley MacLaine) is the widow of a former U.S. president who is well-known for her diplomatic and philanthropic work, and Doug has been in charge of her security force. But Tess tends to regard Doug less as a security officer and more as a domestic servant, like her chauffeur Earl (Austin Pendleton) or her nurse Frederick (Richard Griffiths). While Doug regards it as beneath his professional dignity to perform little chores around the house or bring Tess her breakfast in bed, she orders him to do so, and he's in no position to say, "no." Sometimes, Tess even refuses to obey Doug's security instructions, and should he argue his point too strongly, Tess will contact her close friend, the President of the United States, and ask him to give Doug a severe dressing down. So when Doug's three year hitch with Tess comes to an end, he asks to be given a more exciting and challenging assignment. However, Tess has other ideas; she's decided that she likes working with Doug, and she demands that his assignment be made permanent. Director Hugh Wilson also provides the voice of the President. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Hugh Wilson
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 11, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Apr 14, 1998
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
The film is indeed likable. But director Hugh Wilson, who co-wrote the script with Peter Torokvei, just skims the surface of potentially rich territory.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Cage, once again sounding mock-suave and Elvisy, makes the most of his character's fragile cool.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Like the role itself, Cage is clearly in service here to a fabled but fading star, and he seldom slips on that second banana.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
What counts is the comic tension between MacLaine and Cage. It's so well done, it doesn't matter how dumb things get.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
There are a few good jokes, some solid chemistry between the leads, and a little pathos, but it all doesn't add up to very much.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
MacLaine and Cage are really very good here.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
We have seen it before: The movie throws together two individuals (Shirley Maclaine and Nicolas Cage) who could not have been more different and then shows us how they learn to respect each other.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Competently executed and entertaining, chiefly due to the first-rate performances of stars Cage and MacLaine.
, Film4
Straightforward but enjoyable comedy that sees Cage and MacLaine going at it hammer and tongs -- although not in that sense.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Cage is on best behaviour here, but he's not an especially sympathetic performer.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
A fun idea, blandly executed
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Speaks to the universal human yearning for someone to watch over us.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
So-so sitcom-like star comedy.
Shellie Iliff, Palo Alto Weekly
For the first half-hour, the tension between Cage and MacLaine makes for some truly funny moments, but then it seems as if director Hugh Wilson called a wrap too early.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
They should have pulled her detail.
James Rocchi, Netflix
A chance to watch two great actors shine in rich, funny, real roles.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

Guarding Tess is such a Funny movie. A old lady driving a young man Nuts. lol
Jason S

Funny.
Steven V

The performances by the two leads are perfect and certain situations are clever. But the third act ends on a ridiculous serious note that killed the film as a whole. And the music is way over the top.
Sunil J

It's remarkably like the Bodyguard except they don't fall in love...thank god.