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"This Is Not
Richard Gere and Debra
Winger" |
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Directed by Andrew Davis
- Written by Ron
Brinkerhoff
Starring Kevin Costner,
Ashton Kutcher, Melissa
Sagemiller, Sela Ward
Distributed by Buena
Vista - 2006 - 136mins -
Rated PG-13 |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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C |
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When lives are on the line, sacrifice everything. |
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Every so often, you view
a film that is simply there.
It's sort of like that book on your bookshelf that really serves no
purpose. You don't ever read it. Heck, you never really even look at
it. It occasionally serves as your bookend helping you organize all
the other books that you read regularly. Yet, it's the kind of book
that, despite your best intentions, you just can't seem to get rid of
no matter how hard you try. It's always there.
That sums up, "The Guardian," the latest action flick directed by
Andrew Davis ("The Fugitive") and starring Kevin Costner as the
crotchety old traumatized instructor and Ashton Kutcher as his cocky,
hotshot student.
Haven't we seen this film before? Lots of times? This year alone?
Because the basic theme is an all too familiar one, the challenge of
director Andrew Davis is to carve a special niche' for "The Guardian."
Unfortunately, the only thing that is unique about "The Guardian" is
that it centers on U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers...I've tried and
tried, but can't remember another film based on the subject so, hey,
there really is something unique about the film.
Big Sigh.
The truth is there's NOTHING else unique about this film. Every aspect
of this storyline, penned by Ron Brinkerhoff ("D-Tox"), feels ripped
off from other films, often better ones. As you watch "The Guardian,"
you'll see glimpses of "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Annapolis," and
even the current "Flyboys" along with a host of other teacher/mentor
flicks from across the genres of film.
In "The Guardian," Costner is Ben Randall, a longtime hotshot rescue
swimmer for the U.S. Coast Guard who wipes out emotionally after a
tragic rescue gone wrong and a marriage rapidly going wrong. To
salvage his worth, the U.S. Coast Guard places him at the training
school...you guessed it, his first class includes the hotshot who
reminds him of himself, Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), an Alpha male
with his own baggage.
The formula is here. The film follows the predictable line of
teacher/student enter conflicts, student learns, teacher/student bond,
student becomes damn good rescuer and, finally, teacher/student both
get a shot at redemption and the film has the inevitable maudlin, too
artificial to be happy ending.
THE END.
Well, of course, we do have the obligatory love story
sidelines...well, I suppose it's a "sort of" love story sideline for
Costner opposite Sela Ward (How many long-suffering wives has she
played now?), while Kutcher plays opposite Melissa Sagemiller with
enough steaminess to almost steam up a jacuzzi to 65 degrees.
Now, before you think this review is a complete trashing of "The
Guardian," think again. "The Guardian" is, in fact, a competent film.
Davis infuses the water rescues with a certain electricity that makes
them exciting, though predictable, to watch. It is an odd action film
when the best action comes during the interplay between the film's
burned out hero and his even more burned out spouse. The scenes
between Costner and Ward offer a richness and authenticity far greater
than any of the film's action scenes and, most certainly, any of the
formulaic script offered by Brinkerhoff. Costner again shows signs of
life after years of cinematic mediocrity, and "The Guardian" is worth
watching solely for the thrill of seeing this formerly wonderful actor
returning to form. He finds places in Randall that I'm fairly sure had
Brinkerhoff scratching his head and going "Wow, I'd never thought of
that."
Kutcher, unfortunately, isn't yet experienced enough or talented
enough to find those inner crevices of his character's psyche'.
Instead, he is left to flex his admirable abs and as a result his
performance often feels like a blue-collar Tom Cruise from "Top Gun."
Functional? Sure. Memorable? Not a chance.
In the supporting roles, experiences again shows with Ward offering a
memorable performance while Sagemiller...well, at least she's
hot. Sagemiller's performance will give you an even deeper appreciation
for Debra Winger.
I guarantee it.
Production design for "The Guardian" is serviceable, but again,
nothing outstanding or unique. Even with the unique setting of water
rescue, the film all too often feels formulaic and predictable. Very
often I found myself muttering "same scene, different setting."
There's nothing particularly wrong here, but nothing ever truly feels
right either. At 136 minutes in length, the formulaic nature of the
film becomes almost a distraction unto itself.
Costner fans and Kutcher fans will, most likely, find no reason to
support this film. While it's not particularly good, it's also too
irrelevant to be considered a bad film.
"The Guardian" is what it is. "The Guardian" is a simple, predictable
and formulaic action flick with "been there, done that" action
sequences, paint-by-numbers relationships and the inevitable happy but
letdown ending. The film features further proof that Costner remains a
relevant dependable actor, and also features proof that Kutcher has a
long way to go to become one.
If these are our guardians, suddenly I feel a lot less safe. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
Atrocious
dialogue, some of the worst in recent years,
only adds to the visual and audio rape that is
the experience of watching Ashton Kutcher try to
act. Costner is on total autopilot in this
movie, which is way beneath his talents. I
laughed my way through a clichéd plot and
predictable twists. "The Guardian" is the
quintessential "why bother" movie... it exists
only to suck up two hours of the viewer's
precious time. Avoid this film at all
costs!!!
Jacob Hall's
Comment
n/a
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