Movie spotlight

On Guard

Name: On Guard
Released: 1984-01-01
Duration: 50 min

1984

Movie

50 min

English

Set against the backdrop of modern-day Sydney, this heist-style thriller involves four politicised women from varying backgrounds, who conspire to sabotage the research programme of a multi-national firm, Utero, which is engaged in reproductive engineering. One of the women loses her diary which contains information and diagrams about the raid only a few days to count down. Will the diary fall into the wrong hands leading to the detection of the women before they have a chance to complete their mission? As the tension mounts, so the wider context of the women's lives as mothers, lovers and providers is also shown under strain indicating the many other considerations women have to take into account when embarking on any form of public activity.

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Insights

IMDb5.5/10

Director: Richard Franklin•Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A young, rebellious convict is released from prison and must confront the harsh realities of the outside world while trying to stay out of trouble. He finds himself drawn into a dangerous criminal underworld, forcing him to use his wits and survival skills to navigate a treacherous path.

Critical Reception

The film received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its plot predictable and its characters underdeveloped. Audiences were similarly divided, with some appreciating its gritty tone and others criticizing its lack of originality.

What Reviewers Say

The film struggles with a clichéd narrative that offers little new to the genre.
Character development is largely superficial, making it hard to connect with the protagonist's journey.
Despite its attempts at gritty realism, 'On Guard' often feels generic and uninspired.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'On Guard' are scarce, but the general sentiment appears to be one of indifference, with few viewers expressing strong opinions either positively or negatively.