Liked their kiss at the end...

Rating: 4/10 (19 February 2002)

..but unfortunately it took over two hours to get to it. Its a great moment and is very old-movie in its execution, but the movie preceeding it is mostly awful. Don't read this if you want your 'experience' ruined..
Kevin & Whitney have some moments of genuine chemistry. He is hired by her staff because she is receiving threatening letters and intruders (she's a double threat - big in movies and in music - just like Neely O'Hara!) but she is mostly being kept in the dark about her stalker because she might get 'upset.' Her staff is comprised of shady characters, all designed to make you think any of them could be guilty of stalking.
She wants her freedom but he's very professional - he worked for the CIA and still regrets not being on duty the day Ronald Reagan was shot - so They Clash, so that they can Overcome That and Become Romantic. Inexplicably, his professional responsibility is put aside and he decides to accept her invitation to go on a date. Being that she is a huge star, its unreasonable that she is never recognized, but I digress..
He realizes that they should not have gotten close the Following Morning, and she is angry that they won't be waking up together anymore. When the threats take a more serious tone, they agree to get serious about her being guarded.
You don't want to know the rest. See the fey dye-blonde guy who is obsessed with Whitney. See the co-worker of Costner trying to get some of what Kevin was given. See the resentful sister/secretary seething at every turn.

The best is the Oscars ceremony at the end, where she wins, but is almost gunned down..maybe the killer was pulling for someone else in her category!

The script is a mess. Costner is wooden for the most part. Houston is very good but has a lapse in some heavily dramatic scenes. I don't think playing a spoiled diva is a huge stretch for her but its good to know your own limitations, too.
As mentioned, the finale is very well done, very emotional and cathartic. Its the only spontaneous, real moment in a mostly artifical movie. 5/10.