Guarding Tess
TriStar Pictures | Release Date: March 11, 1994 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
50
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
6
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
MacLaine and Cage are really very good here. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
There are no big thrills, only gentle laughs in this light story by Hugh Wilson and Peter Torokvei (Wilson also directed). Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff(not credited)
In its small way, however, it succeeds, thanks to director Hugh Wilson's light touch and the chemistry between leads Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage. Read full review
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
What counts is the comic tension between MacLaine and Cage. It's so well done, it doesn't matter how dumb things get. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
While it's understandable that it was thought that Tess needed something more, that it couldn't go on merely being clever and fragile, this solution goes too far in the opposite direction. [11Mar1994 Pg. F9]
67
Austin ChronicleHollis Chacona
There are lots of laughs in this picture, and though at one point he teeters perilously on the brink of mush and gush, Wilson manages to regain his gently caustic comic footing. Read full review
60
Washington PostRichard Harrington
All of the supporting characters -- notably tubby Richard Griffiths as Tess's nurse and mousy Austin Pendleton as her chauffeur -- are thinly drawn, but neither MacLaine nor Cage leaves much room for anyone to overact. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Despite a slow start, the movie eventually slips into a congenial flow. Unfortunately, Guarding Tess ends up derailing because of a ill-conceived ending that has something to do with a silly kidnapping subplot. Read full review
50
VarietyLeonard Kelly
Comedy, pathos and thrills alternately collide, creating problems in both pacing and developing a consistent tone. Read full review
50
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
Director Hugh Wilson and co-writer Peter Torokvei allow this Driving Miss Daisy with attitude to fully steep, like a cup of fine tea spiked with lemon. [11Mar1994 Pg. 01.D]
40
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Having introduced the two principals and had some fun with their antagonism, the film has nowhere to go. Read full review
40
EmpireStaff(not credited)
It is, in fact, far from funny, although at moments it does touch upon amusing. Read full review
10
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
All this is supposed to be as cute as bugs and chock-full of worldly wisdom, but even with lead actors as likable and as resourceful as these, the material made me alternately want to gag and nod off. Read full review
10
The New YorkerTerrence Rafferty
It's a dull, poky picture, which provides an unwelcome showcase for MacLaine's increasingly insufferable cute-gorgon shtick and no showcase at all for Cage's tremendous comic talents. Read full review
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