William Friedkin, a director always more interested in the visceral aspects of his films rather than the performances or the emotions therein, still manages to cast good actors for his pictures and usually gets strong work from his players, but not so with "The Guardian". Adaptation of Dan Greenburg's novel "The Nanny" features Jenny Seagrove (cast rather obviously to show off her shapely nude figure) as a descendent of the ancient druids who worshipped trees (don't ask). She's hired by a yuppie couple to care for their new baby...and you can guess the rest. Colorless and listless as the actors are, Friedkin as a filmmaker appears to have lost his Midas touch (to say nothing of his mind). There's not a believable moment to be had here, only frustration with a stupid, inept plot--mostly melodramatic, and hazy to start with--that never involves the audience. Towards the end, I felt Friedkin's presence with a stylish throwaway or two, but that doesn't excuse "The Guardian" from being so vacuous and dim. * from ****
Review of The Guardian
