GUARDING TESS could be described as a small movie: except for one scene, it never leaves the borders of Ohio, and it's essentially a two-character picture. In its small way, however, it succeeds, thanks to director Hugh Wilson's light touch and the chemistry between leads Shirley MacLaine
and Nicolas Cage.
Secret Service agent Doug Chesnic (Cage) is glad to be rid of his assignment of three years--guarding former First Lady Tess Carlisle (Shirley MacLaine), an overbearing, patronizing widow whose endearing public persona has somehow made her a national treasure. On arriving in Washington to accept
a new posting, however, Doug finds that Tess has asked the Pre...
Released:
1994
Rated:
PG-13
Length:
98 mins