THE BODYGUARD

The Bodyguard is a 1992 American 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. Lawrence Kasdan wrote the film in the 1970's as a vehicle for Steve McQueen. It was directed by Mick Jackson.

Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston) is an Oscar-nominated music superstar who is being stalked and sent death threats. Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), a former Secret Service agent during Ronald Reagan's presidency-turned professional bodyguard, is hired to protect her.

The film follows Rachel's life through her career and family. Performances include her singing hits such as "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing". Frank 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, guarding the Reverend Philip Hardy with the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa Rapids

Cast
Kevin Costner as Frank Farmer
Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron
Gary Kemp as Sy Spector
Bill Cobbs as Bill Devaney
Ralph Waite as Herb Farmer
Debbie Reynolds as Debbie Reynolds
Richard Schiff as Skip Thomas
Nathaniel Parker as Clive Healy
Rollin Jarrett as Miami Reporter

Background
The film was originally proposed in 1976 with Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in the leads, but negotiations fell through as McQueen refused to be billed second to Ross.[5] 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 may have been informally called off during an incident captured in her documentary Truth or Dare. This took place during a scene where Madonna met with Costner backstage; he congratulated her on the concert, calling her show neat, Madonna made fun of his "neat" remark after he left. Costner undoubtedly saw this after the documentary's release.

Pat Benatar, Olivia Newton-John, Joan Jett, Deborah Harry, Janet Jackson, Terri Nunn and Kim Carnes were considered for the role of Rachel Marron.

Lawrence Kasdan's first ever screenplay.

According to an interview with the BBC, Kevin Costner confirmed he had discussed a film role for Diana, Princess of Wales shortly before her death in 1997. Kevin Costner had planned to show the movie to Princess Diana due to her interest in seeing it. "I had talked with Princess Di a couple of times," said Costner. "I explained to her that I was going to try to make this movie for her and she was genuinely interested." Costner went on to say "We talked on the phone and she never committed to saying that she would do the film, but I said that when I was done with this movie, that I was going to show it to her and she was genuinely excited to see it."

The producers selected an albino man with Asperger Syndrome to play Houston's stalker as an homage to Kasdan's brother, who was similarly afflicted.

Critical Reception
Upon release, The Bodyguard received mixed to negative reviews. The movie holds a 39% rating on the film aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, and received six Golden Raspberry Award nominations, including Worst Picture. Owen Gleibermann, of Entertainment Weekly negatively reviewed the film, stating, "To say that Houston and Costner fail to strike sparks would be putting it mildly." He added, " the movie gives us these two self-contained celebrity icons working hard to look as if they want each other. It's like watching two statues attempting to mate." However, other critics like, Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, remarking "The movie does contain a love story, but it's the kind of guarded passion that grows between two people who spend a lot of time keeping their priorities straight."

Two songs from the film, "Run to You" and "I Have Nothing", were nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. The film was also nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning three, including Album of the Year for its soundtrack album of the same name.

Commercial Reception
In the United States, The Bodyguard opened on November 25, 1992 in 1,717 theatres. It grossed $16.6 million in its opening weekend, ranking third. The film was in theatres for thirteen non-consecutive weeks, ultimately grossing $121.9 million domestically, and $410.9 million, worldwide. It was the seventh highest-grossing film of 1992 in North America, and the second highest-grossing film of 1992, worldwide. At the time, the film became one of the 100 highest grossing films worldwide, though it has since fallen out

1. "I Will Always Love You" Dolly Parton Whitney Houston 4:31
2. "I Have Nothing" David Foster, Linda Thompson Whitney Houston 4:48
3. "I'm Every Woman" Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson Whitney Houston 4:45
4. "Run to You" Allan Rich, Jud Friedman Whitney Houston 4:22
5. "Queen of the Night" Whitney Houston, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Daryl Simmons Whitney Houston 3:08
6. "Jesus Loves Me" BeBe Winans, Cedric Caldwell Whitney Houston 5:11
7. "Even If My Heart Would Break" Franne Golde, Adrian Gurvitz Kenny G and Aaron Neville 4:58
8. "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" Lisa Stansfield, Andy Morris, Ian Devaney Lisa Stansfield 4:57 9. "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day" Bill Withers, Skip Scarborough, Robert Clivilles, David Cole, Tommy Never, Michelle Visage The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. 4:47
10. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" Nick Lowe Curtis Stigers 4:04
11. "Waiting for You" Kenny G Kenny G 4:58
12. "Trust in Me"