Episode 10: Guarding Tess

Hugh Wilson’s tale of frenemies played by Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine was once a favorite of Morgan Gire’s and it has been even longer since Erik Childress has seen it. Like VHS-long. So does their relationship stand the test of time for both of them or does the film’s mix of comedy, drama and, ultimately, thriller shortchange each other? A lot is devoted to some of the nonchalance of the big finale and the secret service’s inability to rise to the challenge. But what can be done to expand upon the film’s central relationship? Why do Morgan and Erik keep sidetracking into other movies? What does it have in common with Tommy Wiseau’s The Room? And the most important question of all – can Shirley MacLaine knock out Nancy Reagan? We all want to remember the best of Nicolas Cage and maybe this is part of it, but does that mean it is good?

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