My Bodyguard
Tags: revenge

Plot synopsis:
Clifford Peache (Chris Makepeace) lives in an upscale Chicago luxury hotel with his father (Martin Mull), who manages the hotel, and his eccentric but loving grandmother (Ruth Gordon). Clifford spends his nights with his family relaxing on the rooftop patio and spying on the neighbors through a telescope. He is the new kid at Lake View High School, where he arrives in a hotel limousine.
Clifford becomes a target of abuse from a bully, Melvin Moody (Matt Dillon). Moody and his gang of thugs, Dubrow (Richard Bradley), Koontz (Tim Reyna), and Hightower (Dean R. Miller), regularly terrorize and extort lunch money from other students, allegedly to protect them from a school outcast, the large, sullen Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin). According to school legend, Ricky has killed several people, including his own little brother. A teacher (Kathryn Grody) tells Clifford that the only violence she's aware of from Ricky's past occurred when his younger brother died accidentally while playing with a gun.
Clifford works up the nerve to approach Ricky and asks him to be his bodyguard. Ricky refuses, but the boys become friends after Ricky saves Clifford from a beating by Moody and his gang. Ricky has emotional issues over the death of his 9-year-old brother a year earlier, and is slow to come out of his shell, but has been rebuilding a motorcycle that he cherishes. The friendship between the two boys is strengthened as Clifford successfully helps Ricky search junkyards for a hard-to-find cylinder for the motorcycle's engine.
As Clifford, Ricky, and a few friends from school, including fellow bully-magnets, Carson (Paul Quandt), Shelley (Joan Cusack), and an unnamed girl (Jennifer Beals), eat lunch in Lincoln Park, Moody and his gang approach. Moody has enlisted the help of an older bodybuilder named Mike (Hank Salas), someone he announces is his bodyguard. Mike intimidates and physically abuses the younger Ricky, and vandalizes his motorcycle before Moody pushes it into the lagoon. Ricky runs away. He later comes to Clifford to ask for money, ostensibly to pay for pulling the motorcycle out of the lagoon. Feeling used, Clifford follows him and the two argue before Ricky reveals to Clifford that he accidentally shot his brother while babysitting him at home. As a result of the accident, he is overwhelmed with guilt and remorse.
Moody and Mike later return to the park to continue bullying the other children. Ricky is also there retrieving his motorcycle. Moody notices and demands the motorcycle, which Ricky refuses. Moody summons Mike and the two begin to fight; Ricky eventually defeats Mike, then urges Clifford to fight Moody while Ricky coaches him. Clifford initially fights incompetently, but becomes angry and finally lands a solid punch which knocks Moody down and breaks his nose. Moody sits on the ground, whining. Ricky retrieves his motorcycle and as they leave together, he jokingly asks Clifford to be his bodyguard.

Review: In his debut performance, Adam Baldwin does a wonderful job portraying the alienated Ricky Linderman, who is seen as a hulking, violent "psychopath" by most of his peers.
Baldwin's acting abilities are impressive and he touches the heart of the viewer by showing us Ricky's emotions.Ruth Gordon is a joy to watch as Clifford's Gramma Peache.
Chris Makepeace is cast perfectly as a reluctant victim of extortion by Matt Dillon's high school band of thugs.
Not having seen it when it was released, we took a chance and it paid off handsomely.The film addresses the bullying in schools, a nightmare for those students that appear weak, or easy marks for these predators to make a name for themselves among their peers, at the others expense.
Some have gone to careers of their own, such as Matt Dillon, Adam Baldwin, Joan Cusack, George Wendt, and the uncredited Jennifer Beals, who has no speaking role.When Clifford Peache, the son of a hotel manager in Chicago, changes schools, he meets his worst nightmare: Melvin Moody.
In fact, Rick teaches Clifford a lesson when at the end he has to face the mean Melvin, who proves to be a coward, as all bullies are."My Bodyguard" is an entertaining film to watch thanks to the great performance by Chris Makepeace, who makes a great Clifford.
its a classic compared to some of the trash like 8 mile thats out there today.Chris Makepeace is excellent but Matt Dillon is truly fantastic as the school bully.
Add to that the situation of being the new kid and trying to survive the jungle of high school(something most every American teen can relate to), and you have a great little film.
Chris Makepeace is the new kid who tranfers to a urban Chicago highschool from a private school and immediately runs afoul of school bully Matt Dillon.
If you've ever been a teenager, wondered if you would belong, attended a high school or had to do battle with a bully, you'll find something to like about MY BODYGUARD..
I remember loving this movie when I saw it as a grade school kid growing up.
It's refreshing to know that they can make movies about young kids without portraying them as sex maniacs, criminals, or drug users.My Bodyguard is about a high school student, oddly named Clifford Peache (Chris Makepeace), who is encountering trouble at school.
They tell him they're trying to protect him from a big, tough kid named Ricky Linderman (played by Adam Baldwin in his film debut).Clifford is somewhat small, he doesn't know how to fight, and he's not very intimidating, thus, he can't really defend himself.
He decides that he wants to pay Ricky Linderman "to be my bodyguard." This is where the movie really begins, and makes an excellent turn.Linderman is somewhat of an outcast and a loner at school, presumably because of his size, and some unkind rumors milling about the school.
Some scenes later in the movie, like Linderman getting pushed around by another tough kid, are a little difficult and painful to watch.
It reminded me of a line from On Golden Pond spoken by Katherine Hepburn: "Sometimes you have to look hard at a person, and realize they're doing the best they can." My Bodyguard does exactly that.This is a very suitable film as well as great learning material for any teenager, teacher, or parent.
I liked the performance of Adam Baldwin the best, he starts out looking a little sloppy, scruffy, and primitive, but later goes through a transformation to a well-mannered, polite, affable, approachable young man.
To make a treasure and a classic movie like this about teenagers and high school was some kind of miracle, and wonderful..
It takes place in a decidedly urban and challenging setting, and its adult characters are as quirky as its teenaged ones.The characters are well-drawn, the acting is good, and although the plot is insignificant, with a weak conclusion, this film manages to be realistic, present interesting characters (particularly Adam Baldwin's) and make you laugh.
This is a unexpectedly deep "Highschool Bullying" movie that is based around the words I wrote in the "Summary".This movie appears to have inspired the less deep and more over the top "Three O Clock High".Clifford (Chris Makepeace) moves to a new school and becomes the object of a group of bullies led by Moody (Matt Dillon).
Clifford is afraid to fight them so he enlists the help of a mysterious kid "Linderman" (Adam Baldwin) that all the bullies fear.However, Cliff finds Linderman is not Superman, rather he has a grave psychological problem which contributes to his mysteriousness.
I had nothing but hatred for Matt Dillon's character, as I was one who did not need a bodyguard but learned to fight off the Melvin Moodys in my own life.
On the surface, a movie about a boy hiring a big kid to be his bodyguard against four bullies seems mundane, but this movie had a lot of twists and characters that keep you riveted.
I mean, how do you go from "Children..." to "My Bodyguard", then on to "Cat People" (which, incidentally, also stuck with me for various scenes which I hate to spoil here).Anyway, no matter how you slice it, "Bodyguard" is a great movie, and Baldwin and Makepeace are so fun to watch together!
An outstanding teen movie, it launched the careers of Joan Cusack, Adam Baldwin, and in a tiny and unfortunately uncredited role, Jennifer Beals.
When I watch it these days, I get a mix of the nostalgia of middle-school and the fun time that the movie's versatility still delivers today.
Properly fearful looking (the whole school is scared of this guy) Baldwin nonetheless makes it impossible for you not to feel for this kid and when, out of his greasy, shapeless clothes and cleaned up and dressed for dinner at the hotel, his smile and demeanor Chris Makepeace shines as the tale's protagonist, Clifford and his persistence in courting friendship with Linderman is a turning point in the film.
Only this time Mr. Miyagi is a tough, estranged teen (Adam Baldwin) and the boy Clifford (Chris Makepeace) ends up learning to box during his only fight, no training or wax on wax off, just right to the action.
I also thought Ruth Gordon as Clifford's grandmother was quite funny.Overall, My Bodyguard is a forgotten little gem, but it is a great movie and one of those from the 80's that shall not be missed.
That I felt so incensed by Melvin Moody, Dillon's "My Bodyguard" character, tells me what a talent Dillon had for playing the part of the incorrigible schoolboy who makes physically weaker students dread every school day.Though, of all the cast members Dillon incited me the most -- I wished I could enter the film so that I could shove Melvin Moody down a flight of stairs -- no actor left me feeling unmoved.
Several actors, in fact, impressed me as much as did Dillon.Despite the familiar themes of friendship and loyalty and the often-employed plot involving campus hoodlums and their victims, the performances in this movie were thought provoking as well as entertaining, apparently because this film's writers seemed to make a point of avoiding uni-faceted characters.Fun-loving Gramdma Peache (Ruth Gordon), for example, showed that she also had a capacity for compassion and kindness, just as sullen, intimidating Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin) became less defensive, even easygoing, given the right setting.
"My Bodyguard" is one of the great films ever to come out of the 1980's.Actor Tony Bill makes a great debut as director as he tells the story about a young kid who moves to a different high school and gets picked on by a vicious bully(played well-done by Matt Dillon).Later in the film,the young kid hires a brand new classmate to protect him and they also embark on great friendship.Released in the summer of 1980 by 20th Century Fox,"My Bodyguard" is a very important film in such a artistic and excellent way.It captures the innocence of going to school,getting picked on,and hiring a courageous,tall,and willing friend to make a difference.It also brings out the very best in acting and fine screenwriting.For anyone who gets picked on or getting made fun of a lot in school,this film is definately one you don't want to miss!.
One Of Those Movies I Never Tire Of. So, I was watching the new Fox series, "The Inside" the other night and marveling at how handsome and young and talented Adam Baldwin still is and I realized that the film I fell for him in is 25 years old!
God, I love that movie.Having been a Ruth Gordon fan since I first Saw "Harold & Maude" at an art-house when I was a kid, it was a delight watching her granny-gone-wild act in "My Bodyguard".
MY BODYGUARD is a reminder of the bully types we've all known that like to mess with teen-agers during those dangerous years at school and beyond.
Incredibly acted by Makepeace, Baldwin, and Dillon, this movie is not the stereotypical goofy 80's teen drama.
Thanks to all the great actors and actresses who really wanted to do a good job.Even thought it does have some harsh language in it its still a great movie and I think any one who watches it will enjoy it.Exspeally high school kids.Thank all of you for a great movie.Kathrine Elizabeth Steele.
So when a bully who is not unrealistic, just the kind of prick that is out there in the world, like Matt Dillon in story, it works.It's a "small" film, but its gentle spirit is genuine, and it's really *about* something, which is getting a true friend.
The performances by the younger actors are phenomenal, and unlike many films that feature mostly younger actors, you actually care what happens to these well-developed characters.Clifford Peache (Chris Makepeace) is the new kid in town.
They pretend to protect the kids from the school legend, Linderman (Adam Baldwin).
Clifford befriends him and learns that Linderman is just a high school kid going through the growing pains like everyone else.
I love the way the story is portrayed...not like a normal teen movie.
Matt Dillon glowers convincingly enough as Moody, the punk with slicked-back hair (this was Dillon's third movie after "Over the Edge" and "Little Darlings", and his career was on a roll, with the future-star showing a nice sense of selection picking quirky, unusual teen-oriented films to start off with).
Adam Baldwin plays the hulking, scary loner Linderman whom Makepeace pays to be his bodyguard, and their friendship doesn't feel nearly as contrived as the basic set-up, leading to an absorbing second-half.
This film begins with a young 15-year-old sophomore named "Clifford Peache" (Chris Makepeace) who has just enrolled in a new high school in Chicago.
Unfortunately, things don't go well for him because-as luck would have it-he runs afoul of the high school bully by the name of "Melvin Moody" (Matt Dillon) on his very first day.
And from that point on Melvin makes it a point to demand money in exchange for protection from the most feared kid in school named "Ricky Linderman" (Adam Baldwin).
A semi-well off kid moves and goes to a new highschool and it turns out there is the worst bully there taking "protection money" from everyone all on the supposed basis of him protecting everyone in the school from an even worse student played by Adam Baldwin whose story is he had literally murdered a bunch of people and is feared by everyone in the school to the extent that he barely shows up for lessons and nobody cares and lets him do it.
The new kid doesn't want to pay and instead tries to find out some more about Adam Baldwins character and finds out the stories are not what they seem and in turns befriends him.This movie is way better than the Karate Kid, Three O'Clock High and all others about bullying at school.
Hello!I saw "My Bodyguard " in English class and i think this movie is a good movie because the movie tells the story of a bully child (Clifford Peache) and its Bodyguard (Ricky Linderman).This movie tells about a bully man (Clifford) .Cliffor is in sophomore year and he as a new stunden in High School in Chicago .He is bullied by Moody .Moody wants him to pay one dollar a day .Clifford refuses to pay and he wants Linderman to protect him but Linderman is not interested ...You have watched the film to see what happens !I think Clifford (Chris Makepeace) is a good actor .
Clifford Peache, a nice teenager, has difficulty in becoming integrated into his new high school, where a bully terrorizes the pupils and extorting money from them.
Clifford Peache, a nice teenager, has difficulty in becoming integrated into his new high school, where a bully terrorizes the pupils and extorting money from them.But Clifford refuses to be passive and succeeds in acquiring the services of the pupil the most dreaded by the high school.Both boys are going to learn to know each other and, soon, their union against the moths of the high school will give birth to a beautiful friendly story.Chris Makepeace as Clifford Adam Baldwin as Linderman Matt Dillon as Moody Ruth Gordon as Gramma Martin Mull as Mr. Peache John Houseman as Dobbs Paul Quandt as Carson Craig Richard Nelson as Griffith.
One of the earliest and somewhat more atypical of the '80s teen comedies later worked to a fine polish by John Hughes and company, "My Bodyguard" is a rough gem of a film, anchored by a solid central performance by a here-and-gone favorite of mine, Chris Makepeace.Makepeace plays Clifford Peache, who finds himself in a new school when his father (Martin Mull) is made manager of the Ambassador East Hotel, site of the legendary Pump Room.
Clifford figures there must be a better way, and finds it in sullen tough guy Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin), whom he diligently recruits for real protection services - against Moody.What's great about "My Bodyguard" outweighs what's not great about it, but it's a surprisingly tight battle right up to the end.
You have two films here: one of which (Clifford in school, dealing with Moody and Linderman) is a solid tough-nosed teen drama with some light comedic banter; the other a goofy Clifford-at-home piece featuring his father's efforts to stay employed despite the antics of a fun-loving grandma (Ruth Gordon) and a weasely assistant.
At his new school, fifteen-year-old Chris Makepeace is bullied, so he decides to hire the one guy everyone is scared of, Adam Baldwin, as his bodyguard.
At the time of release I was 12 and the idea of hiring a great big person like that for protection at school appealed to me.Adam Baldwin does an accurate portrayal of a teen that grows up in less than ideal surroundings.
(They actually represent my oldest brother's time in High School '78-'82.)The adults Martin Mull as Clifford's Dad,who manages the hotel where they also live.
There were plenty of Matt Dillon's in my high school just waiting to steal my lunch money, and mess up the way I looked.This film had some high drama in it as well.
Gutsy, but small and scrawny squirt Clifford (an excellent and engaging performance by Chris Makepeace) hires hulking alienated misfit Linderman (Adam Baldwin in his fine debut) to protect him from mean high school bully Moody (well played with perfectly obnoxious swagger by Matt Dillon).Director Tony Bill relates the affecting and engrossing story at a steady pace, makes nice use of gritty inner city urban locations, and offers a neat balance of drama and humor.
When he enlists the "bodyguard" services of Adam Baldwin as the sullen school outcast (who is feared as a psychopath because of his size and because he was rumored to have killed his younger brother), the two forge a beautifully written friendship that you rarely see in movies anymore.
For those of you who don't know, "My Bodyguard" is about a new kid at school who is being picked on by a bully and his cronies.
Not only that, but the school bully in the film, Melvin Moody (the excellent Matt Dillon), he went to my school too!
It got to the point, where no matter which way I turned, I saw every character in that movie at my school...in my life.
It features fairly good performances from young leads Chris Makepeace, Matt Dillon, Adam Baldwin, and Joan Cusack .
Interesting high school bullying story, filmed in Chicago, including Lincoln Park..
It is about a new kid at a Chicago public high school, 10th grade, and right away he encounters the local kid bully, who makes the weaker kids pay him every day for "protection." But the new kid refuses, and soon his time at school is made miserable by the bully and his friends.Chris Makepeace, who doesn't seem to have gone anywhere as an actor, was 15-yr-old Clifford.
But the one I liked most was Adam Baldwin, making his movie debut as the bigger, taller, but troubled student Linderman.
Clifford quickly gets into trouble with school bully Melvin Moody (Matt Dillon) and his group of tough guys.
Clifford befriends and tries to hire sullen giant student Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin) who is rumored to have killed somebody.This movie would work a lot better with less screen time for the adults.
Chris Makepeace is a pretty good teen actor especially in a role like this.
Still, you feel for the big-lug.Things I learned from this movie:-bullies spend hours after-school stalking empty bath-rooms-50 cents was a lot to a kid in the 80's.-fight scenes have come a LONG way since the 80's.-Matt Dillon is lucky to still be working after this.The supporting cast is a virtual who's who of 80's talent....Martin Mull, George Wendt, & Joan Cusack.I wouldn't shell out a dollar to rent it (unless I was throwing a cheesy-80's party) but if it comes on cable (and it will, they always do) give it a chance.