‘Guarding Tess’

Although Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage seem disparate performers, they find common ground in this delicately funny 1994 chamber comedy about the war of nerves between a formidable former First Lady (MacLaine) and the dissatisfied Secret Service agent assigned to her. Aside from demonstrating how far a pleasing acting mixture can take you, “Guarding Tess” also shows its limitations, especially delivering on its promise. It takes an unexpected and unsatisfactory turn that undercuts all the good things that have gone before. However, the film benefits from the playful sensibility of director/co-writer Hugh Wilson, creator of “WKRP in Cincinatti” and other key TV series (Showtime Sunday at 8 p.m.).