Guarding Tess is a 1994 American comedy-drama film starring Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage, directed by Hugh Wilson.

MacLaine plays a fictional former First Lady protected by an entourage of Secret Service agents, led by one whom she continually exasperates (Cage).

The film is set in Somersville, Ohio (in reality Parkton, Maryland[2]) and was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1995 (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical: Shirley MacLaine).

Secret Service agent Doug Chesnic takes pride in his job, performing his duties with the utmost professionalism.

Tess is known for her diplomatic and philanthropic work, but seems to regard Doug less as a security officer and more as a domestic servant—not unlike her chauffeur, Earl, or her nurse, Frederick.

Doug regards it as beneath his professional dignity to perform little chores around the house or bring Tess her breakfast in bed.

Tess watches old television footage of her husband's funeral, concentrating on a momentary glimpse of Doug among the mourners, overcome with grief.

Morale for the agents improves when Tess tells them that the President will be visiting her late husband's presidential library, but his subsequent cancellation lowers her spirits.

When they find Tess buried, but alive, beneath the floor of the farm's barn, Doug and his agents insist in doing the digging.