underacting, a wise choice

Rating: Null/10 (28 April 2003)

Saw this movie when it first came out in the theater. I just saw it again on tv.
I must admit I always thought - and still think - that Kevin Costner is an overrated actor. He manages to be quite believable in this flick because of his underacting. But yet he has a hard time always finding the right facial expression within his (IMHO) limited range. Whitney Huston on the other hand did a rather good job since she has to go through many more emotions. Of course she only is really at ease when she sings. When she is afraid or furious, her lack of acting experience shows through.
I only can thank the director Mick Jackson for telling both stars to take the underacting approach during dramatic and romantic scenes. It actually works. Check Kevin Costner in JFK when he has his final speech and fights his tears with his voice failing. He just seems to shy away instead of putting his heart into it. The same goes for the, admittedly much less dramatic, scene near the end of "The Bodyguard" when he has to fight his tears for a moment (sure he is a tough guy). I still bought it because it was very subtle. Very good direction.
The only movie where Kevin Costner really convinced me was "A Perfect World", directed by Clint Eastwood, made one year later.

The music is definitely outdated especially for ther flashy digital keyboard sounds which are by now replaced by either rougher or more machine-like sounds. Yet it's nice listening to the last remains of glamour in pop music. It's all but gone by now.
Spoilers ahead!
I found some of the music numbers a bit exaggerated with all fireworks and everything. I also found it one too many that Rachel (Huston) actually won the Oscar. I guess it's the lack of a setup (we don't even know the film Rachel is in and neither the other nominees, so we don't really care).
I totally agree with one user comment that points out the poorly constructed plot regarding Rachel's older sister and the killer. I even would like to add that her phrase "I never would hurt Fletcher" was of very bad taste. So she's a good girl after all. She doesn't hurt her nephew, she "only" wants to kill her sister. Hmmm. That can't even be explained with feelings of guilt clouded by booze.
End of spoilers.
All in all still an enjoyable movie. Production values are excellent and the complete supporting cast is simply great. I also liked the fact that the racial differences are not mentioned in the dialog.
*** out of *****