2006, Touchstone Pictures, Dir. Andrew Davis - Starring Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Sela Ward, Melissa Sagemiller, Bonnie Bramlett, Clancy Brown, Neal McDonough, John Heard, Brian Geraghty, Derek Adams, Gregory J. Barnett, Shelby Fenner, Scott Mueller

In the fall season, the movies tend to have a similar predictability to them as in the early winter. The Guardian just happens to be one of those that everyone - critics and audiences alike - will judge by the book’s cover. But beyond the A- to B-list cast and Hollywood’s cutting edge look, this is one that could surprise everyone. I had little interest in seeing another “teacher-student” drama, much less one with Ashton Kutcher. But once I left the theater, I was oddly moved. Andrew Davis, whose past directing credits range from Steven Seagal to Arnold flicks, has completed a slick combination of action and melodrama to make for one very interesting date movie. Imagine Perfect Storm meets Finding Forrester - with two wonderful performances by Kevin Costner and Kutcher. Although the story tends to drag on, and the movie overstays its welcome, the final product is still worth commending for its lack of overacting and moderate amount of real heart-pounding adrenaline.

Ben Randall (Costner) is one of the US Coast Guard’s most elite rescue swimmers, taking on chores of great magnitude all day, everyday. During a rescue mission off the coast of Alaska, Ben and his crew get tangled in a rough storm that impedes them from saving the victims overthrown from their boats. One thing leads to another, and Ben’s crew is killed in an elaborate explosion. The accident scars Ben, leading himself to believe he was at fault. Moreover, his wife Helen (Ward) has separated from him after his constant dedication to his work has overshadowed their relationship. Ben’s superior (Brown) enlists him to teach a class of elite swimmers to become the next generation of officers, despite Randall’s reluctance. One of these swimmers is the cocky yet talented Jake Fischer (Kutcher), who’s there to prove he wants to save others for a living. Ben’s apathetic rigor conflicts with Jake’s chutzpah, yet they learn from each other on the path to saving lives.

Kevin Costner gets his best role since Open Range in Guardian, as the mild-mannered but rough-edged Ben Randall. Randall is presented as a lonely figure at the movie’s opening, as a broken-hearted former husband whose love for his job has been marred by the loss of his best friends. What he does is save people, and when he couldn’t save either his marriage or friends, he feels lost. Costner captures Randall’s emptiness with his drawn expressions and harsh dialogue with superiors and students. The Randall of the past is Jake Fischer, played by Kutcher with tremendous effort. My never being a fan of Ashton’s acting may be alleviated from this role, as Kutcher reveals a deeper side of his range. His cocky yet contained interest in the Coast Guard is distinguished, and the father-son chemistry between him and Costner is deliverable. The two work well together, despite their generation gap and their respective acting conventions. Melissa Sagemiller (as Kutcher’s love interest) and Sela Ward are mere distractions and lack script development for them to be interesting. Neal McDonough is noteworthy for his portrayal of a ruthless assistant to Randall, and Bonnie Bramlett shines as a hard-knuckled bar patron and friend of Ben.

Beyond the drama, Davis’ eye for action is noticeable. After taking on projects such as The Fugitive and Seagal’s one winner Under Siege, the director literally stirs up a fantastic storm for The Guardian. On paper, the concept sounds tepid. But when the waves start to smash against the theater’s sound system, it’s very difficult for audiences to look away. As far as military rescue missions go, this simulation of Coast Guard technique proves to be one of the most realistic and engaging takes. The CGI appears to be fresh and clean, and rarely does a cheesy shot reveal itself. Trevor Rabin’s percussion-based score raises tension during heavy action shots, leaving the audience wanting to watch Crimson Tide again. Although the seaming of the melodrama and thrills can be jarring at times, one gets the typical feeling watching Guardian - it’s a movie based on exploring courage, choices, and friendship. Whether dangling from a helicopter or having a barstool conversation, Costner and Kutcher (and the occasional supporting character) wind into deep conversations that edge pretension but confine themselves to realism.

The Guardian is a decent movie with guts and glory. Like Officer and a Gentleman on the high seas, this little drama piece may interest some audiences and bore others. Some may not appreciate its cast, much less its action, but there’s one thing for sure - it’s sincere.