Guarding Tess
Performance & Direction: Guarding Tess Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Guarding Tess (1994) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Guarding Tess features a noteworthy lineup led by Shirley MacLaine . Supported by the likes of Nicolas Cage and Austin Pendleton , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Guarding Tess
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1994, Guarding Tess is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Hugh Wilson. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Shirley MacLaine.
Ending Explained: Guarding Tess
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Hugh Wilson, Guarding Tess concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Shirley MacLaine, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Guarding Tess reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Guarding Tess?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Shirley MacLaine or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Guarding Tess
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $27.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Guarding Tess Budget
The estimated production budget for Guarding Tess is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Guarding Tess
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Where to Watch Guarding Tess Online?
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Apple TV StoreGuarding Tess Parents Guide & Age Rating
1994 AdvisoryWondering about Guarding Tess age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Guarding Tess is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, Guarding Tess is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1994 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guarding Tess worth watching?
Guarding Tess is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Guarding Tess parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Guarding Tess identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Guarding Tess?
The total duration of Guarding Tess is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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How Guarding Tess Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Guarding Tess
Shirley MacLaine ("Tess") is on good form in this rather daft tale of a pretty cantankerous former First Lady who has a running battle with her Secret Service agent Nicolas Cage ("Doug") as he tries to keep her within his security protocols - an exasperating task that is mostly an uphill struggle. A series of fun face-offs ensue as she and her team - chef Richard Griffiths and chauffeur Austin Pendleton run the poor old Cage ragged before, unexpectedly, she goes and gets herself into a bit of bother that mobilises just about the entire nation. "Tess" has got some good one-liners and there is a fair amount of chemistry between the pair as their love/hate relationship begins to pan out in this quite watchable comedy drama.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
