The Bodyguard

Rating: 4/10 (8 July 2005)

Most people know about this romantic (not very thrilling) thriller film because of the number one theme song, from director Mick Jackson (Volcano). Basically former Secret Service agent turned on bodyguard Frank Farmer (Razzie nominated Kevin Costner) is hired by the manager of successful pop singer turned actress Rachel Marron (twice Razzie nominated Whitney Houston) who has recently been receiving threatening notes/letters. Farmer is haunted by the fact that he quit being a bodyguard for Ronald Reagan, just before he got shot. Farmer wants to keep his relationship with Marron professional, but he does agree to go on a date, and they do sleep together, but of course he feels this was a mistake, and she is obviously being bitchy towards him, and he knows he can't stop thinking about her "in that way". Rachel had been nervous going on stage during this difficult time, but you can imagine her fear on the big Oscar night when she is presenting an award, and then nominated for Best Actress, which she does win, and her assassin is certain. Rachel was saved by Frank, and he is later seen as she boards a plane with a new (older) bodyguard, but she can't take off without that big kiss. Also starring Gary Kemp as Sy Spector, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer's Bill Cobbs as Devaney, Ralph Waite as Herb Farmer, Tomas Arana as Portman, Michele Lamar Richards as Nicki, Dumb and Dumber's Mike Starr as Tony, Christopher Birt as Henry, Terminator 2's DeVaughn Nixon as Fletcher, Home Alone's Gerry Bamman as Ray Court, Batman's Robert Wuhl as Oscar Host, Debbie Reynolds and Deep Impact's Richard Schiff as Skip Thomas. Costner isn't completely believable, and as for Houston, while her singing is fantastic, her acting is lacking a lot of flare, and it is ironic that she was nominated a Razzie, and that in the film her character wins an Oscar. It just isn't my cup of tea for a thriller or love story, I found myself wondering why do so many people, particularly women, like this mediocre schmaltz, it is as the critics say (not very, in my opinion) entertaining baloney. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Song for "I Have Nothing", and Best Song for "Run to You", and it was nominated the Razzies for Worst Original Song for "Queen of The Night" (it's not that bad), Worst Screenplay and Worst Picture. "I Will Always Love You" was number 65 on 100 Years, 100 Songs, it was number 33 on The 100 Greatest Number One Singles, but also number 51 on The 100 Worst Pop Records, why? Okay!