Picture a typical Ashton Kutcher project. Thoughts of practical jokes, dirty language, or European honeymoon adventures might come to mind. Most likely, you didn’t think of him as being a fantastic “serious” actor. However, Kutcher outdoes himself and blasts through the expectations of viewers when he pairs up with the almighty Kevin Costner in Touchstone Pictures’ The Guardian.

Ben Randall (Costner) is a legendary Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer who’s been re-assigned to instruct Class 5506 at the Coast Guard “A” School. While there, his perplexingly unorthodox teaching methods baffle many, including the cocky high school swim champ Jake Fischer (Kutcher). Fischer’s seemingly selfish motivation to be the best and defy the odds is difficult for Randall to understand, and he is afraid that Fischer is lacking the humility and dedication to be a Rescue Swimmer. While he acknowledges that Fischer is even better than he was at his age, Randall thinks Fischer is in it only for the glory and not for the chance to save others’ lives.

Throughout many mishaps, challenges, and a secret-revealing heart-to-heart between Randall and Fischer, the two become close and Randall helps to mold Fischer’s character and motivation to honor his gift of speed and agility. Upon graduation, Fischer follows Randall back to his former home of Kodiak, AK and joins the squad of Rescue Swimmers at work in the Bering Sea. On his first solo rescue mission, Fischer learns from Randall the true meaning of sacrifice and heroism as Randall’s actions and choices continually echo the Rescue Swimmer’s motto: “So Others May Live!”

All in all, The Guardian proves to be an amazing portrayal of the dedication for service in the heart of every Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. It’s never short on laughs, yet at the same time it has many moments chalk-filled with gut-wrenching emotions. (Yes, I cried). Throughout it, the characters all shine with an undeniable beam of pride in themselves and what they do.

It’s hard to find a bad point in the film, as it offers all the elements you could ever ask for in a film. In all likelihood you, like myself, will most likely fall in love with Kutcher’s damaged and serious side, Costner’s loyalty to the victims he is called to serve, and the general feeling of comradery continually exuded throughout the film.

By Linsea Howard