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Source:
rec.art.movies.reviews newsgroup
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You're going to see "The Bodyguard" spoofed a lot. Just two days ago I saw an episode of "The Simpsons" with Homer saving Mark Hamill from a horde of geeks. As the song "I Will Always Love You" swelled in the background, the image of Homer carrying an animated Mark in his arms filled the screen.
Of course, the film itself isn't a good movie. "The Bodyguard" is, in fact, a very bad movie. But I like it, in an odd sort of way. It's one of those likable but stupid movies that make the time fly by on a Friday night -- unless, of course, you have something better to do than waste your time watching Kevin Costner attempt to act and Whitney Houston attempt to love him.
The movie stars Kevin Costner as Frank Farmer, a bodyguard who blames himself for events from the past that come back to haunt him. Whitney Houston basically plays Whitney Houston (though the character's name is different in the film), a famous singer like herself who falls in love with her newly-aquired bodyguard and sparks an interracial romance that threatens her career almost as much as the death threats she has been receiving in the mail.
Frank's mission is to protect her at all costs from the assassinator, who is not a metallic cyborg and who does not bear an uncanny resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger (though it would have helped market the film). The surprise at the end is that the killer is not who we think it is throughout -- so don't think at all! Just watch. I hope I didn't ruin any part of the movie for you. But don't tempt me -- I'm about to give away the rabid fan's identity to you.
"The Bodyguard" is a big, mushy mess, filled with bad acting and bad scriptwriting. The entire movie is bad. It's way too long for its own good -- especially when it is broadcast on network television and stretched to a near three-hour showing. (Do they really provide fifty minutes of commercials these days on CBS?) I've seen the movie numerous times, on network television and unedited, and it always seems too long. But, despite its (extremely) bad traits, the movie is a lot of fun to watch.
I don't like Kevin Costner. I think he is, what I call, a *blah* actor. He talks with such a lightweight mumble that it often induces sleep. If Costner wants to make money after his film career is depleted (that's happening, folks), he should market Costner Sleep Cassettes. Insert a cassette tape/CD of Kevin Costner reading your least favorite book, and you're guaranteed to fall asleep in less than five minutes -- or your money back!
I found one great role that Kevin Costner has played over the years, and it was the role he played in "The Untouchables," opposite Robert De Niro's Al Capone. Brian DePalma directed that movie, and it worked because the role for Costner fit his dull acting talent. Watching him attempt to *really* act is quite sad. Remember his interpretation of Robin Hood? Some people liked it, but I thought it was a disgrace to Robin Hood.
For what it's worth, Costner is good here, mainly because he acts like a dull bodyguard who is required to show absolutely no feelings whatsoever. His character basically walks around with a single expression on his face throughout the film, including while he's on a date with Whitney and the night after (if you know what I mean).
The movie sparked a lot of controversy because the couple embrace in a passionate kiss at the end of the film. If you don't mind sitting through bad acting, bad directing, bad scriptwriting, all stretched out to two and a half hours...then this is the movie for you. I, personally, sorta like it. But I don't respect it.
By : John Ulmer (http://www.wiredonmovies.com/)
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Source:
rec.art.movies.reviews newsgroup
Rating:
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What happens when Hollywood pairs one of its hottest male stars with one of the hottest pop divas, hoping to cash on the "hot" soundtrack as well as at the box-office? This odd combination sometimes can end as complete disaster, but sometimes it can create huge gap between snobbish critics and general audience. While the critics usually cut those films to little pieces due to their more than obvious commercial nature, general audience might (and often does) succumb to clever advertising campaigns and flock to the theatres. One of such examples is THE BODYGUARD, 1992 romantic thriller directed by Mick Jackson, film that was both immensely popular and passionately panned by the critics.
The plot of this film is based on the script by Lawrence Kasdan, originally written in 1975 with stars like Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in mind. The protagonist is Frank Farmer (played by Kevin Costner), former Secret Service agent who turned to private sector and began working as a private bodyguard for various wealthy customers. His next potential client is Rachael Marron (played by Whitney Houston), pop diva recently being targeted by mysterious but very determined and potentially dangerous stalker. Farmer reluctantly accepts the job and soon the friction arises between him and the diva. While Farmer, as professional, tries to provide the best possible protection by imposing new, tighter and often unpleasant security measures, Marron doesn't want to alter her lifestyle or jeopardise her popularity by limiting her public appearances. But this isn't the only thing that creates tensions in the relationship between Farmer and Marron - two of them soon discover that they are attracted to each other. While their relationship becomes more romantic, the stalker is getting much closer.
At first sight, THE BODYGUARD looks just like another "high concept" product of Hollywood - genre combination of straightforward thriller and old-fashioned romance that employs all the cliches of their respective genres. So, two lovers start their relationship by despising each other, after more than obvious red herrings identity of the chief villain is telegraphed in the middle of film, while the finale provides spectacular, but ridiculously unbelievable assassination attempt. However, THE BODYGUARD manages to work very well within those limitations, mostly due to Kasdan's script being based more on the characters than on the weak story. Relatively unknown director Mick Jackson deliberately chooses slow pace and thus allows more room for character development, as well as for Kasdan to give some of his observations on the nature of fame and celebrity in modern world. The main dramatic conflict in this film - between Farmer's desire to keep Rachael safe at any cost and Rachael's desire to stay in public spotlight at any cost - is a dilemma which is very real for many of our world's celebrities. On one hand, their livelihoods depend on the media exposure, while, on the other hand, exposure is certain to bring unwanted attention and make them targets of various dangerous individuals. Five years later with the deaths of Gianni Versace and Princess Diana, the general public became aware of the dilemma presented in this film.
The acting in THE BODYGUARD is very good. Kevin Costner, obviously aware for whom the role has been originally made, puts a lot of effort into his Steve McQueen impersonation and the result is more than impressive. Whitney Houston, on the other hand, has a somewhat easier job of playing character in many ways similar to herself and therefore doesn't have to display acting talent. The supporting cast is also good, especially Michele Lamar Richards as Rachael's sister and it is refreshing to see Mike Starr playing a nice guy for a change. The original music soundtrack by Alan Silvestri is also good, but hardly anyone will remember it, unlike Whitney Houston's songs that play throughout the whole film. Finally, the ending of the film, which is both realistic and unconventional for standard Hollywood products, leaves us with much better impression of THE BODYGUARD as entertaining little film, much better than its initial reputation.
By : Dragan Antulov (http://film.purger.com/)
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