The Bodyguard

Infobox Film
name = The Bodyguard


caption = Theatrical release poster
writer = Lawrence Kasdan
starring = Kevin Costner
Whitney Houston
Gary Kemp
Christopher Birt
director = Mick Jackson
producer = Kevin Costner
Lawrence Kasdan
Jim Wilson
cinematography = Andrew Dunn
editing = Donn Cambern
Richard A. Harris
distributor = Warner Bros.
released = November 25 1992 (U.S.)
runtime = 130 min.
country = United States
language = English
imdb_id = 0103855
music = Alan Silvestri
budget =
gross = Domestic:
$121,945,720 [ [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bodyguard.htm Box Office Mojo: The Bodyguard] ]
Worldwide: $410,945,720

"The Bodyguard" is a 1992 romantic-suspense film directed by Mick Jackson, written by Lawrence Kasdan, and starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.

Plot

In her film debut, Whitney Houston plays Rachel Marron, a pop music superstar. It seems that one of her fans is stalking her and has threatened to kill her, so 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 from performance to performance. Each performance features her singing a song (including Houston's hits "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing") that reflects her emotional state. Frank Farmer successfully protects her from danger. Subsequently, and possibly as a result of his protection and the trust thus inspired, Rachel Marron falls in love with Frank, and, though he tries to keep their relationship professional, they sleep together. However, recognizing that their relationship puts her and her family in danger, he breaks-off the affair and heightens moves to protect her (many such previous moves were shot down by Rachel). Ironically, in an effort to separate Rachel from her own world, Frank introduces Rachel to his own father and personal life. As the story follows a number of potential stalkers, Rachel must put her trust in Frank ahead of her own selfishness and desire for success; as Frank must face the fact that the threat may not be what was expected. 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. After McQueen fell ill with cancer 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 "". This took place during the scene where Madonna met with Costner, him congratulating on her tour performance rather ironically, calling her show "neat" and, as a consequence, her scorning him on his way out.

During recording of the song "I Will Always Love You", there was some difficulty arranging the cover until someone suggested that Whitney Houston sing the first verse without instrumental backing, and that version became the one used in the film.

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 quickly decided that the song Rachel would sing would be Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" (supposedly at the suggestion of Costner, believing that the song would suit Houston's voice). The original song "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" remains as Rachel's song for Frank in the novelization of the movie.

Controversy

Many felt that the movie poster, which includes Costner carrying Houston with her head faced down, deliberately hid Houston's face to avoid showing the interracial aspect of the film. In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine in 1993, the singer commented that "people know who Whitney Houston is—I'm black. You can't hide that fact." Despite the controversy, the film is notable for not mentioning or explaining its interracial aspect.

Reception

Although the song "I Will Always Love You" was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, the movie received mixed to negative reviews. The film received 6 Razzie award nominations. However, it was still a commercial success.

oundtrack

The soundtrack to the film is one of the best selling soundtracks of all time. The "Bodyguard soundtrack" sold over 17 million copies sold in North America [ [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblDiamond Recording Industry Association of America: Diamond Awards] ] and 42 million worldwide. Houston's cover version of "I Will Always Love You" is the most successful cover tune ever (the song was written and originally performed by Dolly Parton).

Trivia

* 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.

* It was rumoured for a long time that Princess Diana was in talks to star as the lead female role in a sequel to The Bodyguard [cite web | title = Bodyguard 2 & Princess Diana | url=http://www.classicwhitney.com/newsfile/reports/movienews/bodyguard2/bodyguard2_princessdiana_17mar2001.htm | accessdate= April 15 | accessyear= 2007 ] . 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.

* The movie Frank and Rachel see at cinema is Akira Kurosawa's 'Yojimbo', which translates from Japanese as 'Bodyguard'.

* A different version of I Will Always Love You appears in the film.

Parodies

Ever since its debut, The Bodyguard has been the target for sarcasm and parody 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.

References

External links

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