The Guardian is a 2006 American drama film directed by Andrew Davis and starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher plays Jake Fischer, a hotshot high school swim champion whose life goes off track after a tragedy in his family. Costner plays Ben Randall, a legendary rescue swimmer in the U.S. Coast Guard who is haunted by his past.
The film follows Fischer as he enlists in the Coast Guard and goes through their intense training program, known as "A" School. Randall, who has been reassigned to the school after a tragic incident on the job, takes Fischer under his wing and teaches him the importance of teamwork, sacrifice, and putting others first. As Fischer progresses through the training, Randall's unorthodox teaching methods begin to rub him the wrong way.
As the story progresses, Fischer becomes involved in a romantic relationship with fellow trainee Emily Thomas (played by Melissa Sagemiller) and struggles with his commitment to the Coast Guard. Meanwhile, Randall is dealing with personal demons and the pressure of leading a team of rescuers into dangerous situations.
The movie climaxes with a daring rescue mission in a massive storm, which puts Randall's leadership and Fischer's training to the ultimate test. The Guardian is a powerful tale of sacrifice, courage, and what it means to truly serve one's country.