Is Ben Randall A Real Person

By: debbie lynn elias

The oftentimes disregarded force with its office in personal condom, h2o safety, national security and the environment, the United states of america Coast Baby-sit finally gets its due from Hollywood with a highly polished authenticity thanks to Andrew Davis', THE GUARDIAN.    Consummate with an indoor pool serving every bit the Bering Strait, 60,000 pounds of ice representing Kodiak, Alaska, an Olympic swimmer, and production beset by delays cheers to, ironically, Hurricane Katrina, THE GUARDIAN brings us the story of the Coast Guard'south aristocracy search and rescue branch.

Ben Randall is a survivor.  The top of the line when it comes to swimming and water rescue, he is the near decorated swimmer in the Coast Baby-sit.  One of the oldest active members of the search and rescue division, Randall is over 40.  Repose and disciplined, you can always count on him to get the job done – with one exception.   In the blink of an centre, i mission goes awry and Randall loses his entire rescue team.  He is, the sole survivor.  Facing his own mortality and questioning his abilities and that inevitable "Take I stayed to long at the fair?" question, Randall is relieved of active duty and reassigned as an instructor, training the next generation of search and rescue swimmers at the top gun class of the Declension Guard.

Jake Fischer is a self, know-information technology-all wannabe.  After all, what can he possibly larn from an "old guy."  Haunted by his own personal demons, Fischer, himself an splendid swimmer , finds himself enrolled in the search and rescue training classes nether the tutelage of Ben Randall.  Less than impressed with Randall (after all, he's over 40 and who can do annihilation of value over 40!), Fischer initially blends with the remainder of the class but for his cockiness, but his individuality, self-reliance and lack of team work soon bring him to the forefront.  And in so doing, the dynamic shifts to a head-butting contest between Randall and Fischer as Fischer'southward ole goal seems to be to "best" the best-of-the best, Randall.  To Fischer, records, regalia and celebrity are all that matters.  Honor and duty mean zero.

Seeing Fischer's potential, and seeing a lot of himself in him as well, Randall not but finds a renewed sense of purpose for his own life, just a renewal for Fischer equally well.

Kevin Costner stars equally Ben Randall.  An fantabulous casting choice.  Costner knows his niche.  He is at his best when playing the elderberry statesman, withal physically able to do the job but mentally wearing and now kept around to "enlighten" the youngsters.  Think "Balderdash Durham" or "For Love of the Game."  Sage suggest, the wisdom of experience and a strength of graphic symbol with a code of defining morals and ethics laced with passion, conviction and gentility course the character and captivate on screen.  This is Costner'due south all-time work in years.  Going caput-to-caput with him is Ashton Kutcher as the stiff-willed Jake.    Not a big Kutcher fan, I am impressed with his performance hither.   Stretching himself across comedy, he brings an "A" game to the table and gives a compelling, potent performance without lapsing into overbearing airs, which could easily have happened with this character.    With a tempered maturity, Kutcher 's chemistry with Costner is undeniable and bodes well for the character report and story line at manus.  Given their successful pairing hither, I wouldn't be surprised to see them together again in a future project.  In fact, I would welcome it.

And while the film essentially revolves around Randall and Fischer, supporting roles abound and are essential to the development of the two primary characters.  As comes as no surprise, the always  excellent Sela Ward is a standout as Randall'due south wife.  Ward puts such heart into the character that every woman in the audience will be able to empathize and understand her position and the reasons for her separation from Randall.  Ward's performance as Helen does much to buoy the development of Ben Randall.  I of my favorite stuntmen and Second Unit Directors, veteran Greg Barnett, takes on the role of Guard airplane pilot Doug Lathrop and is, of course, beyond reproach.  Not one relegated to non-speaking roles over his illustrious career, he brings an actuality, athleticism and ability to the part that serves the film well. . .non to mention doing double duty as Stunt Coordinator.   Besides, with Jay Bingham, JD Evermore and Bill Gail.    Easy on the eyes, convincing and credible, information technology'south enough to make you want to get out just to get rescued!   And I have to give a shout-out to Neil McDonough's Skinner.  I of the most militaryesque, cloak and dagger authorities (think X-Files) types out there, McDonough is Costner's antagonistic foil and with his usual aplomb, really gets under your skin.  Perfect!

The real key to the success of THE GUARDIAN is screenwriter Nonetheless, I think screenwriter Ron Fifty. Brinkerhoff.  Tightly crafted, interesting and enlightening, he keeps his eye on the ball and never falters from the bulletin and team spirit inspired by the existent life heroes.   Although at times the dialogue sounds "mitt-picked", deliberate and thematically stylized, it serves the motion picture and the characters well, giving a depth and maturity to the project as a whole, taking us inside the hearts and minds of some typically unsung and relatively unknown heroes.  Never cheapening the acts of the Guard as a whole nor becoming overly maudlin or melodramatic, the graphic symbol study and dynamic solitary is worth seeing.  Toss in the excitement and adventure of daring-do rescues and, WOW!

Compounding Brinkerhoff's excellence is director Andrew Davis.    His continuity with character development, excitement and suspense is rivaled but past the excellence of the drama the creates with welcome authenticity.  He keeps the juices flowing and eyes broad open even when merely educating the audience about the harrowing challenges of this much needed profession without the excitement of winds, waves, caves and potential drowning victims.    The icing on the cake are the horrific storms and sea rescues in, of all places, the Bering Strait.   (Exit your maps boys and girls and caput North!)  Determined to attain unparalleled authenticity, Davis shot much on location, everywhere from Alaska to New Orleans to Oregon to Long Beach and on to Shreveport.  He did however turn to production design, special furnishings and visual effects teams to construct a h2o tank a la Wolfgang Peterson's "The Perfect Storm" to serve every bit the Bering Strait.

Equally many of you know, I volition see anything and everything starring, directed or written past Kevin Costner, and have maintained that position since nosotros starting time met early on in our respective careers.  Not overly impressed with his last couple of films, I went into THE GUARDIAN sticking my baby toe in the water – with some trepidation.   When I left the theater, it was with not only newfound cognition and respect for the men and women of our Declension Guard, merely with a moving ridge of excitement from the sheer excellence and entertainment of the motion picture.

Ben Randall: Kevin Costner

Jake Fischer: Ashton Kutcher

Skinner: Mac McDonough

Helen Randall: Sela Ward

Directed past Andrew Davis.  Written by Ron L. Brinkerhoff.  A Touchstone Pictures release.  Rated PG-13.  (136 min)

Source: https://behindthelensonline.net/site/reviews/the-guardian/

Share this post