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The Bodyguard
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The Bodyguard is a 1992 romantic-thriller film starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. In the film, Costner stars as a former Secret Service Agent turned bodyguard who is hired to protect Houston's character, a music star, from an unknown stalker. The film was written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson.
Plot
In this film debut for Houston, she plays Rachel Marron, a music superstar who is being stalked. Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), a professional bodyguard and former Secret Service agent, is hired to protect her.
The film then follows Rachel Marron's life through her career and family.
Discussion
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Encyclopedia
The Bodyguard is a 1992 romantic-thriller film starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. In the film, Costner stars as a former Secret Service Agent turned bodyguard who is hired to protect Houston's character, a music star, from an unknown stalker. The film was written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Mick Jackson.
Plot
In this film debut for Houston, she plays Rachel Marron, a music superstar who is being stalked. Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), a professional bodyguard and former Secret Service agent, is hired to protect her.
The film then follows Rachel Marron's life through her career and family. Performances include her singing hits such as I Will Always Love You and I Have Nothing. Frank Farmer successfully protects her from danger and as a result of his protection, Rachel falls in love with Frank. He initially tries to keep the relationship professional, but the two sleep together. However, recognizing that their relationship may compromise his protection of her, Frank breaks off their affair. Rachel must put her trust in Frank ahead of her own desire for success. In the end, Frank's duty is fulfilled, having successfully protected Rachel, and they part with a kiss. Frank then moves on to his next assignment...to protect an archbishop.
Background
The film was originally proposed in 1976 with Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in the leads. It was proposed again in 1979, starring Ryan O'Neal and Ross again in the leads. The project fell through due to irreconcilable differences in the relationship of the two stars. Costner stated that he based Frank Farmer on Steve McQueen; even cutting his hair like McQueen.
Madonna was considered for the role of Rachel. The deal was called off informally during an incident captured in her documentary Truth or Dare. This took place during the scene where Madonna met with Costner backstage; he congratulated her concert, calling her show neat, Madonna made fun of his "neat" remark after he left. Costner undoubtedly saw this after the documentary's release.
During recording of the song "I Will Always Love You", there was some different ideas for the cover version of the song until Costner and Houston decided to do the intro a capella, having Houston sing with no music. That version would be the one used in the film. The single of this song would ultimately go on to #1 in two dozen countries, sell over eight million units globally, and give Houston the best selling single by a female artist in music history.
Originally, the song that Rachel performs at the end of the film was meant to be "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", which was originally sung by Jimmy Ruffin. However, it was decided that the song Rachel would sing would be Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" (supposedly at the suggestion of Costner, believing the song would fit better with the couple's break up).
Reception
Upon release, The Bodyguard received mixed to negative reviews. The movie holds a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received 6 Golden Raspberry Award nominations including Worst Picture. Despite the negative critical reception, the film was a commercial success, earning over $410 million worldwide. The film was also nominated for two Academy Awards, both in musical categories.
Controversy
In addressing any controversy that the ads were trying to avoid showing the interracial aspect of the film, Houston thought this issue was without warrant and stated in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine in 1993, "people know who Whitney Houston is—I'm black. You can't hide that fact." Despite the minor controversy, the film is notable for not mentioning or needing to address any racial aspect.
Soundtrack
The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album has become the best selling soundtrack of all time. It has been certified diamond in the US (sales of at least ten million) with sales of over 17 million copies. Worldwide, the sales are at a staggering 42 million copies. In addition, Houston's I Will Always Love You became one of the best selling singles of all time, and the best-selling single by a female artist, selling approximately 12 million copies worldwide.
Connections and features
- During filming of the famous end scene (Whitney Houston running to Kevin Costner and kissing him), the camera was to follow a track, transfer to circular track and continually circle around Costner and Houston while they kissed. The first time they filmed it, the camera man was flung off by the force of the camera as it spun around. The camera man got back up, ran to catch up with the camera (which was still filming) and got back on it again. This shot was used in the final film.
- The mansion used as Rachel Marron's home is the same mansion used in the infamous "Horse Head" scene in The Godfather.
- During the climax of the film, at the fictional Academy Awards there are multiple "winners" announced. These include 'Best Sound' which went to Mychal Smith and Kay Colvin who were actually the boom operator and cable person working on the film. The 'Best Song' winners writer is named as Nancy Garber who in truth was the film's art department researcher, and one of the fictional nominated songwriters is called Leslie Moraes who in actuality was the film's assistant location manager.
Princess Diana was in talks to star as the lead female role in a sequel to The Bodyguard without any love scenes or any physical affections. However, Queen Elizabeth was against Princess Diana performing in any movies. . It was set to star Kevin Costner again as Frank Farmer. However the film never got past the final draft stage. More recently Costner was interviewed saying he was still interested in making a sequel.
Parodies
The Bodyguard has been referenced frequently in popular culture. The movie and its soundtrack are referred to in these shows:
- The Simpsons - in the episode Mayored to the Mob, Homer Simpson receives bodyguard training from an instructor singing I Will Always Love You after graduating his class. Also in the episode, Mark Hamill gets carried by Homer in a fashion which parodies the way Kevin Costner carries Whitney Houston in the movie.
- 30 Rock - in the episode Hard Ball, Tracy Jordan is rescued from a mob by his entourage; his character sang "I Will Always Love You" during the scene.
- Least I Could Do - a story arc included a scene where Rayne is being rescued by Noel.
External links
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