THE BODYGUARD
US, 1992, 129 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp.
Directed by Mick Jackson.
The Bodyguard is a romantic thriller that has all the popular ingredients one could ask for: Kevin Costner as a strong silent type, with an overdeveloped sense of duty that is challenged by his client: Whitney Houston as a singer-actress who has received death threats; the pursuit of fans, the pressures on celebrities, some action sequences including a finale at the Oscars. It is designed as enjoyable material for popular audiences.
While it is on screen, there are some strands that are not well connected, some characters who appear and disappear. Afterwards, the plot holes seem even larger. Which means that the film does not ask to be taken too seriously, just enjoyed while it is there, relying on the charisma of the stars. There is good support from Ralph Waite as Costner's father. Gary Kemp appears as Whitney Houston's manager and publicist (something he would know from real life). At the Oscar ceremony, there is a glimpse of Debbie Reynolds. The film was written by Lawrence Kasdan (writer of such films as Raiders of the Lost Ark, as well as director of Body Heat, The Big Chill, Silverado, The Accidental Tourist, Grand Canyon, Wyatt Earp). The Bodyguard seems to have been an earlier screenplay. But he has combined with Costner and his collaborator Jim Wilson to produce a film. It is directed by Englishman, Mick Jackson (A Very British Coup, Chattahoochie, LA Story, Volcano).
1.Popular film, popular ingredients? The appeal of the stars, this kind of thriller, romantic material?
2.The world of Los Angeles, affluent mansions, clubs? Miami, the remote countryside? The Oscar ceremony?
3.The music, Whitney Houston and the Dolly Parton song that became the theme?
4.The colour tones of the film, blue and silver, the mood? The aspects of the dark thriller? Action taking place in darkness? The style of the Oscar ceremony?
5.The title and its focus, the criteria for the job, the priest's speech at the end and the final glimpse of Frank Farmer? The inherent violence in society and the need for bodyguards, protection of celebrities? The bodyguard as a symbol of contemporary society?
6.Kevin Costner's portrait of Frank Farmer, the strong silent type? The Samurai tradition, Japanese films, his sword? The background of the assassination attempt on President Reagan and his absence at the funeral? CIA background? Going freelance? The opening sequences and Farmer doing his job? His friendship with Devaney, being persuaded to interview Rachel? His not wanting to protect celebrities? Going to Rachel's house, entering and showing the lax security? Seeing Rachel, seeing the lonely Fletcher? His agreement in staying? Hiring and training the chauffeur? Changing all the security and tightening it? The clashes with Mikki, with Sy? The clash of personalities with Rachel? Observing her at work, recording? Fletcher at play? The threatening letters and Rachel not knowing the truth? Her discovery and her reaction? Her wanting to go to the Club, Farmer's protection, his behaviour at the Club, the clashes between the two? The performance, the fans, the threatening fan, Farmer rescuing her? The quiet date, his style and place? The talking, the sexual encounter, the aftermath? The sword? The clashes with Mikki and Sy?
7.The trip to Miami, the tensions between the two, the hostel, the details of security? The meeting with Portman, the flash? His flirting with Rachel and her rejection of him? The growing number of threats? The decision to go to the country, their being welcomed by Frank's father? Happy and relaxed? Mikki and the attempted seduction, Frank's rejection of her? Her confession about hiring the hit man in jealousy of her sister? The boat explosion and the danger to Fletcher? The attack on the house, Mikki's death?
8.The portrait of the obsessive fan, the fact that he infiltrated into Rachel's room? His putting the letters together? At the Club performance? The revelation that Portman was the hit-man? His presence at the Oscars, the tension? Frank and his clash with Rachel about her going on stage? The realisation that Portman was the killer, intervening on stage, his being shot?
9.The ending, the farewell at the Airport? The finale and Frank on duty? The sense of duty and right for the bodyguard?
10.Whitney Houston as Rachel, the celebrity, her career, her relationship with her son? His often being alone? The clashes with Frank, the date with him quietly, the sexual encounter? Her singing, rehearsals, temperament? The Club and her performance, her fears? Miami and her antagonistic attitude, flirting with Portman? The happy time in the country? The final danger? The clash at the Oscars with Frank? Her relationship with Mikki, discussing the past, Mikki's jealousy? Sy and his concern about publicity?
11.Fletcher, love for his mother, the lonely boy, the water, the mansion, playing with Frank? Enjoying the country - and the danger with the boat and the explosion?
12.Nikki, her relationship with her sister, their singing together, her jealousy? As manager? Hiring the hit-man? The attempt at seduction? Her death?
13.Sy, the razzamatazz of publicity, the stories, decision making, pressure on Rachel? Antagonistic towards Frank? Being proven wrong?
14.Portman, the background of the CIA, the party in Miami, flirting and the rejection? His presence at the Oscars - and the attempted killing? His death?
15.The obsessed fan, getting into the house, sexual behaviour, the fan letters?
16.Frank's father, the stories about Frank's past, genial, the place in the country?
17.The background of show business - glamour, behind the glamour, dangers of the celebrities? The Oscar ceremony - and the exciting upheaval?
18.The ingredients for popular movie-making?
