THE GUARDIAN

by debbie lynn elias

The often overlooked force with its role in personal safety, water safety, national security and the environment, the US Coast Guard finally gets its due from Hollywood with a highly polished authenticity thanks to Andrew Davis’, THE GUARDIAN.  Complete with an indoor pool serving as the Bering Strait, 60,000 pounds of ice representing Kodiak, Alaska, an Olympic swimmer, and production beset by delays thanks to, ironically, Hurricane Katrina, THE GUARDIAN brings us the story of the Coast Guard’s elite search and rescue branch.

Ben Randall is a survivor. The top of the line when it comes to swimming and water rescue, he is the most decorated swimmer in the Coast Guard. One of the oldest active members of the search and rescue division, Randall is over 40. Quiet and disciplined, you can always count on him to get the job done - with one exception.  In the blink of an eye, one mission goes awry and Randall loses his entire rescue team. He is, the sole survivor. Facing his own mortality and questioning his abilities and that inevitable “Have I stayed to long at the fair?” question, Randall is relieved of active duty and reassigned as an instructor, training the next generation of search and rescue swimmers at the top gun class of the Coast Guard.

Jake Fischer is a cocky, know-it-all wannabe. After all, what can he possibly learn from an “old guy.” Haunted by his own personal demons, Fischer, himself an excellent swimmer , finds himself enrolled in the search and rescue training classes under the tutelage of Ben Randall. Less than impressed with Randall (after all, he’s over 40 and who can do anything of value over 40!), Fischer initially blends with the rest of the class but for his cockiness, but his individuality, self-reliance and lack of team work soon bring him to the forefront. And in so doing, the dynamic shifts to a head-butting contest between Randall and Fischer as Fischer’s ole goal seems to be to “best” the best-of-the best, Randall. To Fischer, records, regalia and glory are all that matters. Honor and duty mean nothing.

Seeing Fischer’s potential, and seeing a lot of himself in him as well, Randall not only finds a renewed sense of purpose for his own life, but a renewal for Fischer as well.

Kevin Costner stars as Ben Randall. An excellent casting choice. Costner knows his niche. He is at his best when playing the elder statesman, still physically able to do the job but mentally wearing and now kept around to “enlighten” the youngsters. Think “Bull Durham” or “For Love of the Game.” Sage advise, the wisdom of experience and a strength of character with a code of defining morals and ethics laced with passion, conviction and gentility form the character and captivate on screen. This is Costner’s best work in years. Going head-to-head with him is Ashton Kutcher as the strong-willed Jake.  Not a big Kutcher fan, I am impressed with his performance here.  Stretching himself beyond comedy, he brings an “A” game to the table and gives a compelling, strong performance without lapsing into overbearing arrogance, which could easily have happened with this character.  With a tempered maturity, Kutcher ‘s chemistry with Costner is undeniable and bodes well for the character study and story line at hand. Given their successful pairing here, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them together again in a future project. In fact, I would welcome it.

And while the film essentially revolves around Randall and Fischer, supporting roles abound and are essential to the development of the two primary characters. As comes as no surprise, the always excellent Sela Ward is a standout as Randall’s wife. Ward puts such heart into the character that every woman in the audience will be able to empathize and understand her position and the reasons for her separation from Randall. Ward’s performance as Helen does much to buoy the development of Ben Randall. One of my favorite stuntmen and Second Unit Directors, veteran Greg Barnett, takes on the role of Guard pilot Doug Lathrop and is, of course, beyond reproach. Not one relegated to non-speaking roles over his illustrious career, he brings an authenticity, athleticism and ability to the part that serves the film well. . .not to mention doing double duty as Stunt Coordinator.  Likewise, with Jay Bingham, JD Evermore and Bill Gail.  Easy on the eyes, convincing and credible, it’s enough to make you want to go out just to get rescued!  And I have to give a shout-out to Neil McDonough’s Skinner. One of the most militaryesque, cloak and dagger government (think X-Files) types out there, McDonough is Costner’s antagonistic foil and with his usual aplomb, really gets under your skin. Perfect!

The real key to the success of THE GUARDIAN is screenwriter Still, I think screenwriter Ron L. Brinkerhoff. Tightly crafted, interesting and enlightening, he keeps his eye on the ball and never falters from the message and team spirit inspired by the real life heroes.  Although at times the dialogue sounds “hand-picked”, deliberate and thematically stylized, it serves the film and the characters well, giving a depth and maturity to the project as a whole, taking us inside the hearts and minds of some typically unsung and relatively unknown heroes. Never cheapening the acts of the Guard as a whole nor becoming overly maudlin or melodramatic, the character study and dynamic alone is worth seeing. Toss in the excitement and adventure of daring-do rescues and, WOW!

Compounding Brinkerhoff’s excellence is director Andrew Davis.  His continuity with character development, excitement and suspense is rivaled only by the excellence of the drama the creates with welcome authenticity. He keeps the juices flowing and eyes wide open even when merely educating the audience about the harrowing challenges of this much needed profession without the excitement of winds, waves, caves and potential drowning victims.  The icing on the cake are the horrific storms and sea rescues in, of all places, the Bering Strait.  (Get out your maps boys and girls and head North!) Determined to achieve unparalleled authenticity, Davis shot much on location, everywhere from Alaska to New Orleans to Oregon to Long Beach and on to Shreveport. He did however turn to production design, special effects and visual effects teams to construct a water tank a la Wolfgang Peterson’s “The Perfect Storm” to serve as the Bering Strait.

As many of you know, I will see anything and everything starring, directed or written by Kevin Costner, and have maintained that position since we first met early on in our respective careers. Not overly impressed with his last couple of films, I went into THE GUARDIAN sticking my baby toe in the water - with some trepidation.  When I left the theater, it was with not only newfound knowledge and respect for the men and women of our Coast Guard, but with a wave of excitement from the sheer excellence and entertainment of the film.

Ben Randall: Kevin Costner

Jake Fischer: Ashton Kutcher

Skinner: Mac McDonough

Helen Randall: Sela Ward

Directed by Andrew Davis. Written by Ron L. Brinkerhoff. A Touchstone Pictures release. Rated PG-13. (136 min)