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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Spring, 2009

The Bodyguard (1992) movie review

Watch Over Me

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Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner) is at the top of his profession. Once he was a secret service agent protecting the body of the president, now he covers big business and politicians. He draws the line at entertainment figures, which is a problem for the handlers of the lovely and celebrated Rachel Marron.

Through guile and false promises, Rachel's representatives get Frank into the party house that Rachel lives in with her small son. He is justly unimpressed, especially as the target is unaware that she has been receiving graphic and credible threats.

Frank becomes part of Rachel's life. She sees the reserved but attractive Frank as a possible date, he sees her as a constant trial.

Movie Poster, The Bodyguard, Festivale film review; 220x291

Movie poster, The Bodyguard

Never let her out of your sight. Never let your guard down. Never fall in love.

Like many people who have personal protection, Rachel deliberately and accidentally makes the charge of protecting her difficult.

The Bodyguard is the rare story where the action and the love story are balanced and given equal attention. Writer Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill , Body Heat) bring his usual mastery to the stoy. He writes about people, their pain and their joys with great insight and without being seduced by the siren call of "being worthwhile", a call that often drives filmmakers to create universal-themed films that just about no-one enjoys.

Frank and Rachel meet at a time of crisis, and whether they have any future is not the point. Each gains something from the relationship and they can move on enriched by the emotions and the decisions they have made. In real life, a bodyguard never watches the principal, and getting involved with the target is likely to get her killed. In the movies, it makes for another story of the slightly-battered knight who finds redemption protecting his lady-fair.

The Bodyguard is a fairy tale set in La La Land. It won't provide you with an epiphany, but it will entertain you with its heartfelt moments, its music and Frank's understated wit.

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by Ali Kayn
Due for Australian release 1992
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

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Just the facts:

Title: The Bodyguard (1992)
Written by: Lawrence Kasdan
Directed by: Mick Jackson
Running time: 130 mins
Rating: M


The Players: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston,


Official website:
IMDb entry


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