The Bodyguard (1992) (1992)
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32% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(184,444 ratings)
Lawrence Kasdan originally wrote his script for The Bodyguard in the late 1960s as a vehicle for Steve McQueen; by the time it reached the screen, Kasdan's star was another movie hearthrob, Kevin Costner. When imperious musical superstar Whitney Houston begins receiving death threats, she is… More Lawrence Kasdan originally wrote his script for The Bodyguard in the late 1960s as a vehicle for Steve McQueen; by the time it reached the screen, Kasdan's star was another movie hearthrob, Kevin Costner. When imperious musical superstar Whitney Houston begins receiving death threats, she is compelled to hire a bodyguard. Enter Costner, who immediately incurs the wrath of Houston and her entourage by imposing prison-like security measures. An ex-Secret Service agent, Costner still hasn't purged himself of his guilt feelings over his inability to protect President Reagan from would-be assassin John Hinckley (in the original concept, the agent had been guarding JFK in Dallas, but Costner was too young to make this credible; besides, he and Oliver Stone had been there before). Gradually, and inevitably, Costner and Houston fall in love. Ralph Waite is cast as Costner's father, while Robert Wuhl and Debbie Reynolds please the crowd in their cameo roles. The Bodyguard was a huge box-office success, helped along in no small part by Whitney Houston's bestselling rendition of the old Dolly Parton hit "I Will Always Love You." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mick Jackson
- Written By
- Lawrence Kasdan
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Nov 25, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 18, 2006
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
The Bodyguard is an outrageous piece of saccharine kitsch -- or, at least, it might have been had the movie seemed fully awake.
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Brian Lowry, Variety
A jumbled mess, with a few enjoyable moments but little continuity or flow.
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, Time Out
Lawrence Kasdan, it seems, mulled over the first draft of his screenplay twenty years ago; it should have been left to languish in development purgatory.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Two long hours and 10 minutes after this tale begins, Rachel and Frank seem no closer than seatmates on a long bus trip.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
It's only a matter of time before love arises between Mr. Earphone and Ms. High Note. By that time, Bodyguard has slumped to the ground.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kevin Costner
as Frank Farmer
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Whitney Houston
as Rachel Marron
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Gary Kemp
as Sy Spector
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Bill Cobbs
as Bill Devaney
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Ralph Waite
as Herb Farmer
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Tomas Arana
as Portman
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Michele Lamar Richards
as Nikki Marron
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Mike Starr
as Tony
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Christopher Birt
as Henry
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DeVaughn Walter Nixon
as Fletcher Marron
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Gerry Bamman
as Ray Court
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Joe Urla
as Minella
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Joseph C. Hess
as Cuban Husband
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Tony Pierce
as Dan
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Charles Keating
as Klingman
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Robert Wuhl
as Oscar Host
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Debbie Reynolds
as Herself
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Dan Kamin
as Thuringer
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Ethel Ayler
as Emma
- Sean Cheesman
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Richard Schiff
as Skip Thomas
- Chris Connelly
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Nathaniel Parker
as Clive Healy
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Bert Remsen
as Rotary President
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Donald Hotton
as Reverend Hardy
- Nita Whitaker
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Patricia Healy
as 1st Sound Winner
- Blumen Young
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Rob Sullivan
as Best Sound Presenter
- jennifer lyon-buchanan
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Stephen Shellen
as Tom Winston
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Victoria Bass
as Woman in Green
- Abbey Vine
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Phil Redrow
as Video Director
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Christopher Connelly
as Oscar Arrivals MC
- Joe Hess
- Marta Velasco
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Joe Unger
as Journalist
- Gwen Seliger
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Susan Traylor
as Dress Designer
- Pat Van Patten
- Shelley Hill
- Amy Lou Dempsey
- Rosie Lee Hooks
- Ken Myles
- Charles Bazaldua
- Tracye Logan
- Douglas Price
- Ellin La Var
- Joseph Zabrosky
- Rollin Jarrett
- David M. Morano
- Carla Lizzette Mejia
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Linda Thompson
as Female Academy Member
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David Foster
as Oscar Conductor
- Towanna King

