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Poster for Guarding Tess

Guarding Tess

Seen it?

1994 | 96 min | Comedy, Drama

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (57% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The King of Comedy or Swingers, start here.
The mood
Funny with heart.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.

Doug is a Secret Service Agent who has just completed his stint in charge protecting Tess Carlisle—the widow of a former U.S. President, and a close personal friend of the current President. He finds that she has requested that he not be rotated but instead return to be her permanent detail. Doug is crushed, and—after returning—wants off her detail as she is very difficult to guard and makes her detail crazy with her whims and demands.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.0 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $31 million worldwide on a $20 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 51K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Hugh Wilson

  • Shirley MacLaineTess Carlisle
  • Nicolas CageDoug Chesnic
  • Austin PendletonEarl
  • Edward AlbertBarry Carlisle
  • James RebhornHoward Shaeffer
  • Richard GriffithsFrederick
  • John RoseliusTom Bahlor
  • David GrafLee Danielson
  • Don YessoRalph Buoncristiani
  • James LallyJoe Spector