The Bodyguard
Short description
Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent, is hired to protect Rachel Marron, a pop singer and actress at the height of her fame who has been receiving threatening letters from an unknown admirer. Haunted by his own past in presidential security, Frank approaches the job with rigid discipline, while Rachel resents the restrictions his precautions place on her career and private life. The friction between the reserved bodyguard and the headstrong star gradually gives way to a personal attachment that complicates his ability to keep her safe. A romantic thriller with musical numbers, the film was directed by Mick Jackson, its fifth feature following Threads, Chattahoochee, L.A. Story and the television film Chattahoochee's predecessor work; it was written and produced by Lawrence Kasdan, with Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson also producing, and stars Costner opposite Whitney Houston, supported by Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs, Ralph Waite and Tomas Arana. Made for about 25 million dollars, it became a major commercial success, earning roughly 411 million dollars worldwide. Audiences rate it modestly on IMDb at 6.4 from around 159,000 votes and on TMDB at 6.7 from roughly 3,400 votes. The film critics' score of 5.1 from 50 reviews places it below those audience ratings, suggesting a mixed professional reception alongside its broad popular appeal.
What's left behind the scenes
- The song "I Will Always Love You" was borrowed from Dolly Parton's repertoire.
- For Whitney Houston, the role in the film was her first in a major motion picture.
- The screenplay, written twenty years ago by Lawrence Kasdan, was originally intended for actors Steve McQueen and Diana Ross.
- Rachel and Frank go on a date to see Akira Kurosawa’s film "Yojimbo". Later, a samurai sword similar to the one wielded by Toshiro Mifune – the star of that film – is also shown.
- The film's soundtrack was included in the list of 50 best-selling musical albums of the 20th century (the list also features soundtracks to "Titanic", "Dirty Dancing," and the animated film "The Lion King").
- As Kevin Costner later recounted, for the film's poster, he posed holding not Whitney Houston, but her stunt double. Houston was no longer on set at that point. Costner asked the woman to hide her face to portray the fear that the character was experiencing. Several shots were taken, and Costner subsequently chose one of them, which became the poster.
- Kevin Costner gave Whitney Houston advice on acting, while she, in turn, gave him singing lessons.
- During filming, driver Bill Vitaliano died in an accident. He was crushed by mobile lift platforms while preparing the set in an underground parking garage.
- According to Kevin Costner, he based his portrayal of Frank Farmer on actor Steve McQueen, trying to emulate him and even adopting McQueen’s signature hairstyle.
- In the airport scene, when the camera rotates around Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, the centrifugal force was so strong that the operator lost his balance and fell from his chair. He immediately got up and sat back down while the camera continued filming. This particular take was ultimately used in the film.
- It was Kevin Costner who suggested that Whitney Houston begin singing "I Will Always Love You" a cappella.
- The audience did not like the play at the previews, and the film had to be urgently re-edited.
- Filming took place from November 25, 1991, to March 27, 1992.
- Rachel's mansion is the same one featured in 'The Godfather'.
- Rachel and Frank go on a date to see Akira Kurosawa's 'Yojimbo'. Later, a samurai sword similar to the one wielded by Toshiro Mifune is also shown.
- Rachel Marron's music video, which is shown during her performance at the club, is almost entirely edited from fragments of the film 'Metropolis'. A copy of the robot from 'Metropolis' also appears at the ninth minute of the film.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
