The poignant tagline of "The Guardian" proclaims: "When lives are on the line, sacrifice everything." This latest Touchstone Pictures release, starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, delves into a world characterized by sacrifice and struggle, where everyday lives are at stake and every minute could be someone's last.
Unfortunately, the United States Coast Guard is not highly acknowledged or well respected by the American public, despite the fact that these men and women save thousands of lives every year. The Coast Guard is generally forgotten from the group of military forces instrumental to the simple task of preserving and protecting the citizens of our country and is overshadowed by more high-profile organizations like the U.S. Army or Navy.
"The Guardian," however, exposes the hard work and courage within the overlooked organization. Here, the Coast Guard is not only portrayed as a group of heroes and protectors, but also as a legitimate branch of the military.
Directed by Andrew Davis, "The Guardian" follows the lives of Ben Randall (Kevin Costner) and Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher) throughout their trials and tribulations as Coast Guard rescue swimmers. Randall is a legendary swimmer consumed by his work, but one day, Randall experiences a horrific tragedy on the job, setting him back both physically and mentally.
In order to recover from this experience, his boss takes him off active duty and sends him to help train a bunch of new recruits at a Coast Guard camp in Kodiak, Alaska. At the training camp, Randall encounters Jake Fischer, a cocky, high school swim champ, reminiscent of Maverick (Tom Cruise) from "Top Gun" (1986), who gave up swimming for any Ivy of his choice in order to become a rescue swimmer. Throughout training, Fischer learns the nuts and bolts of being a rescue swimmer, but only through Randall does he discover the true rewards of rescue.
The plot of this film is very similar to that of any other military film. It features a stereotypical, overconfident newbie who must conquer his ego and learn the true meaning of serving his country. Of course, no good military flick is complete without a little romance, and "The Guardian" doesn't fail to deliver.
The film's all-star cast, however, manages to separate it from the pack. After starring in films such as "Dude, Where's My Car" (2000) and "Guess Who" (2005), as well as his television show "Punk'd," most people don't expect Ashton Kutcher to be a serious and emotional actor. Surprisingly, in "The Guardian," he manages to alter this image. He beautifully conveys deep emotion, fiery passion and an empathetic desire to help others.
Kevin Costner's performance was equally moving, successfully portraying the role of the frustrated veteran confined to training a bunch of kids. In many ways, this is a comeback for Costner who, along with a receding hairline, has been experiencing a bit of a mid-life slump; he didn't garner much praise from last year's films "Rumor Has It" and "The Upside of Anger."
The Coast Guard's emphasis on heroism is conveyed in the film through its masterful cinematography and use of special effects. Dramatic scenes are made more poignant with images of huge ships being hit by 10- and 12-foot waves. Life-threatening situations are anxiety-filled for audiences, and, suddenly, it feels as if waves are crashing down as the little red plush theater seats float away. In these instances, the only sound is the roar of the sea as death by suffocation approaches.
Unfortunately, the film drags at certain points. These moments, however, are meant to create a sense of tension in the viewer that builds up until all the events of the plot reach a dramatic crescendo.
This climax is all the more emotional because of the film's relation to current events. Last year, during Hurricane Katrina, the Coast Guard saved more than 33,000 lives. Linking rescue swimming and the film back to the real world makes this film even more moving.
The film does not just portray a few heroes with pretty faces; it depicts the emotional and physical struggles brave men and women go through every day, sacrificing themselves in order to save someone else.
