In The Butterfly Effect, Ashton Kutcher mistaked keeping a straight face for serious acting. Now in his new movie, he thinks tears will finally convince people he’s more than that pot-smoking moron he played on That 70’s Show. Personally, I still see Kelso.

Kevin Costner plays the legend Ben Randall, a highly decorated, longtime rescue swimmer for the United States Coast Guard who has been called upon to teach the next class of hopefuls during his unexpected hiatus from active duty. It is now his job to mold a select group of aspiring rescuers into his likeness. On the first day of class he meets young swimming prodigy Jake Fischer (Kutcher) who vows to erase Randall from the school’s record books. From then on these two are at odds with each other, pushing and challenging one another, until Fischer quits or Randall lets up. While doing so, they realize they have more in common than they originally thought, bringing them closer together and eventually becoming friends. Total feel-good story.

The Guardian is to the Coast Guard what Top Gun was to the Navy. It’s their quintessential movie that will inspire future swimmers for years to come to serve their country. Mix it with the typical ‘washed-up veteran teaches young hot shot how to become even better’ story and you have something the girlfriend will enjoy as well. You’ll see daring rescues in unbelievable circumstances and you’ll see tender moments of male bonding and budding love. Pretty much everything I thought the Coast Guard wasn’t. It’s never too late to learn I guess.

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