The Guardian (1984 TV Movie) User Reviews

Martin Sheen, made-for-T.V.-movie-superstar: The Guardian

[Captain_Couth · 7/10 · 20 August 2005]

The Guardian (1984) was one of the many made-for-t.v.-movies that Martin Sheen starred in during the eighties. In this picture he stars as a mealy mouth "liberal" who opposed the strict law enforcement rules of his new apartment security guard (Lou Gossett Jr.) After a several near miss calls for the upper class residents involving the residents, Sheen decides to do some amateur sleuthing and discovers a couple of shady activities that the security guard has been doing. This raises a few questions within Sheen's mind. Does he follow his convictions and rat out the security guard? What about the safety of his neighbors or himself? Will their lives be in peril from the evil hoods that stalk the streets? Why does the Security Guard always acts so shady and secretive? You'll find out the questions to these answers when you watch The Guardian!!

This was a very good t.v. movie. It raises some interesting questions and the film makers leave a t lot of open ended ones as well. Even as a liberal myself, Martin Sheen's character is too stereotypical for my tastes. That's my only qualm with this movie. Other than that, it's a good watch.

Recommended.

A PSA to All Apartment Tenants

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 8 January 2020]

"The Guardian" was a PSA to apartment and condo dwellers all across the country. This movie may have been set in New York, but they don't have a monopoly on crime. Nowadays we have Ring, Nest, Skybell, and others but those are just light deterrents. With porch piracy as the latest crime craze these devices serve as only a small deterrence for the determined thief. Maybe a missing package here and there isn't enough for us to be alarmed, but what about the more serious crimes? So, there are always extra precautions we can take, it's just a matter of if we're willing to take them or not.

After a couple of brutal attacks in a New York City apartment building the tenants decided to hire a security guard. This was no flashlight carrying rent-a-cop too old to even blow the whistle around his neck, this was John Mack (Lou Gossett, Jr.), gun toting, badass, ex-military security guard always on duty. Oh, he's excellent at his job... maybe a little too good. Well-to-do New Yorkers don't like being overly inconvenienced by pushy autocrats and their concerns about "security" and "safety." Couple pushiness with suspiciousness and at least one tenant, Charlie Hyatt (Martin Sheen) was mistrustful of John Mack.

The drama in "The Guardian" was the growing mistrust Charlie had towards Mack. There was always something a little fishy about him and his actions. It could be that we were seeing everything through Charlie's eyes because no other tenants felt the same way.

The undercurrent of it all was a liberal versus conservative stance on crime. Mack took a very conservative and punitive approach towards crime and criminals whereas Charlie was more liberal in that respect. The movie didn't seek to make one position more preponderant than the other. In fact, it ended on a very ambiguous note. What was the real truth behind Mack? Was he that good, or was there a little more to it? We never find out. We're left to draw our own conclusions of what good security is or isn't.

How safe is safe when protection doesn't make you feel safe?

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 28 May 2023]

Pretty daring cable movie from the mid 80's deals with some pretty serious issues surrounding a New York City apartment building where crime from the outside has gotten somehow inside. The deadly shooting of a tenant, a rape in front of the victim's young son and unwanted visitors attempting robbery are enough for the building to hire a very militant security guard (Louis Gossett Jr.) whose actions seem suspicious to tenant Martin Sheen, leading to an investigation of his actions, especially after Gossett goes out of his way to cancel a meeting discussing his possible termination.

Am indictment of crime not being fought during the most dangerous time in modern New York City history, this asks the question as to why one man suspecting the worst about someone while nobody else feels the same way. Are Sheen's feelings justified or racist? And if Sheen is correct about Gossett, what's the motive?

It's made clear that the home invasions are drug related, and that suspects are of every race and varying ages. Sheen becomes a victim himself in a very quiet but disturbing scene. Gossett as usual plays quiet determination very well and Sheen shows proper fear and frustration. But the film leaves many unanswered questions, an ironic detail, as the issue of the criminal mind has many unanswered questions as well.

Is he a protector of the people, or a perpetrator of evil?

[taylr41 · 25 November 1999]

I've seen this title several times, and I'm still trying to answer the previous question. Louis Gossett Jr. is brilliant in his role as John Mack, the hard to figure out security whiz. This is one of the best made for tv'ers ever made. The kind of stuff that made you run out and get cable after seeing it at a friends house. Unfortunately, they haven't made too many more this good sinse then.

If you can find it, rent it, you'll enjoy it.

excellent,social study

[drober2 · 9/10 · 2 September 2002]

I would stay home if they showed quality like this all the time.But

thats asking for a lot.Well acted- dilemma of giving up your

freedom and pride, paying a big price for " big brother" protection a

good analogy of government and citizens.

Some great scenes

[helfeleather · 9/10 · 12 July 2002]

This film has some really well performed scenes of high drama. The opening burglary, the rape scene and the second last scene are all convincingly acted and gripping. I like the ending, but others may protest. Fantastic work from Louis Gossett Jr and Martin Sheen, and a story that leaves you guessing right to the end.

Wish I could find it somewhere

[robert_leath · 10/10 · 3 July 2020]

Saw this movie on HBO when it first came out. I loved it. IMO one of the best movies for Lou Gossetts acting skills. Martin Sheen also did excellent job. Great job showing how Pacifist change their minds when violence is brought to them.

Wish I could find it on a DVD

[billagreste · 10/10 · 2 May 2010]

I've not seen this for 26 years, but I remember it well and have tried a number of times to find this movie again so I could watch it once more. It seems that only a few old VHS copies are still around at places like Amazon. I've not had a VHS player for 10 years, so that will do me no good.

It's a great movie and if I am remembering it as it was, Louis Gossett did a near perfect job in his part and as unconventional as he was in his role as the Guardian, he was exactly what they needed. It's one of those politically incorrect stories where you'll find yourself glad it is that way.

I'll keep looking for a DVD but I doubt I'll get another shot at this excellent movie! If you have an opportunity to catch it, make the effort. It's a movie worth your time.

They Don't Make Thrillers Like This Anymore

[ladymidath · 10/10 · 3 February 2019]

Both Martin Sheen and Louis Gossett Jnr are absolutely perfect in the role of A middle class white liberal and a black draconian security guard that will do anything to protect and ultimately control the tenants in an apartment building. Watching the tension between the two men rise so gradually and subtly really ratchets up the suspense. The murder scene where the tenant is shot is done very well but it's the rape scene that is so heartbreakingly realistic that it stays with you. The Guardian is a riveting movie with surprisingly little blood compared to many of todays gore fests. I just wish they would make more films like this.

Geddit Up

[Theo Robertson · 8/10 · 8 July 2002]

Alongside DEADLY VOYAGE this is one of the best films ever to have been made for television . THE GUARDIAN stars Sheen as a white bleeding heart liberal and Gossett Jr as a black draconian fascistic security guard and it`s no coincidence that these two people are written this way or that one`s black and one`s white . Indeed it`s central to the subtext and character arcs . Best part is the climax when Sheen - who goes slightly OTT in this scene , and that`s by no means a criticism - realises that he has to " Geddit up " . If you`re wondering why he doesn`t want to " Geddit up " then you`ll just have to watch this great TVM . You won`t be disappointed

I've come back to this one three times

[deadbull-95171 · 10/10 · 11 August 2022]

I saw it when it first came out and never forgot it. I saw it again some years ago and then again tonight. It hasn't lost anything. Great character studies by two great actors with very different ways of looking at their world. It has political and racial and social subtexts that are rarely if ever handled so directly and the whole thing has a tense realistic vibe. It poses as many questions as it answers, more about who the guardian is, then what he does. This was unusually good for 1984 TV and amazingly better, to me, then the stuff made now. It's an above average movie by any standard.

"A True Gem from a bygone Era"

[kevinkishin · 8/10 · 7 July 2022]

First off saw this when I was "10" it was burned into my memory, Second Louis Gossett jr. & Martin Sheen played there roles with precision, Third L. G. J.'s character resonates in the current time period a no nonsense individual willing too maintain order, the character was not apologetic about his methods. "The Guardian" is a forgotten gem of it's genre.

Superior TV Movie

[gavin-112 · 8/10 · 4 April 2022]

Morally complex telemovie with 2 fine lead performances! Is surprisingly gritty and atmospheric and has a really potent and unpredictable ending. Underrated gem.

In same boat

[Morrisonhig · 10/10 · 30 December 2017]

I recorded it into my video collection from TV many years ago and have made a DVD copy also, but I like the other reviewers would like to own an original copy myself. Currently my Vieod/DVd player is out of action but intend to get a new one and can then make other copies of the film.