My Bodyguard

Anyone who has ever been subjected to the ethos of "might makes right" will appreciate the raw truth of this film. The opportunity to trump the bullies with their own "high card" is one that uncounted thousands of decent, peaceable kids fantasize about. The amazing and regrettable thing is that this breathtaking debut performance by Adam Baldwin was not capitalized on by producers or directors. Instead Baldwin was relegated to roles like the sadistic British officer in "The Patriot" which takes advantage of his imposing physical presence but gives him no opportunity to display his unexpected, attractive and profound humanity. Perhaps someday a wise filmmaker will recognize Baldwin's potential and make the most of his abilities.

A group of teen-age thugs run a 'protection' agency at their school. After being roughed up, one boy gets his own bodyguard, a boy named Lenderman. Lenderman, an emotionally troubled child, is feared by the bullies because of rumors concerning his violent tendencies. Things look up for a while until the thugs turn the tables and once again spread fear in the school. While not a 'deep' film, it was a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half.

Directed by Tony Bell, "My Bodyguard" is not much of a comedy but rather a drama with a strong focus on bullying. Had never heard of it before but recently found it on a flight and liked it. It features fairly good performances from young leads Chris Makepeace, Matt Dillon, Adam Baldwin, and Joan Cusack . The story is fairly vanilla and plain,though lead Makepeace reminding a bit of a Corey Feldman (maybe 10 years later) with his mouthiness. This movie's locales reminded of Risky Business - an early 80s Chicago and are wonderful and nostalgic. A little more than halfway through the runtime is the best scene in the movie - a short music montage with a rebuilt motorcycle. I am certainly partial to the music of the time. You can view a bit of the innocence and tough-guy acting of kids back in the 70s/80s and some of the tenderness about it. Recommended - a biased and probably overrated 7/10. Catch a young Jennifer Beals in an uncredited role a few years before "Flashdance".

This is definitely a very good movie. 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. The young boy goes through pains most kids do at some point, if not all points of their childhood. A boys's worth is quite literally summed up in how big, dangerous, and tough he is during these years. The boy's father, who manages a hotel, has his own battle in the meantime, and his relationship with his son is not strained, but not completely open. It smacks of realism. In fact, the movie not only smacks of realism, but of action and drama, too. Even the ending is realistic, and leaves you asking some questions about where the characters go from there.

This is a film I'd heard of for years and finally had a chance to view it. It is a low-key, low-budget and witty film about high school survival -- but it is far from being the usual teen film. 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. In other words, the quality of the writing makes it come to life. It's one of the last of a series of excellent low-key, naturalistic films of the 70's, that specialize in fascinating characterizations.

'My bodyguard' is one of those movies--like 'Breaking away'--that you remember long after the credits end. If you saw it as a kid like I did, the movie hit you in the gut. It is just 'real.' The film offers a slice of teen life that you can definitely relate to, whether you've been bullied or not. It includes wonderful performances all around. Chris Makepeace is really great in this movie--and so is Matt Dillon! I don't know why it's been rated so low--it's a great film and I'd highly recommend it. There's that sense of teen angst and finding your place in the world, and it resonates and works on lots of levels. All sorts of crappy movies get higher ratings, go figure!

This movie rings true on so many different levels. I find this a real gem because no matter how many times I watch it I find it compelling and refreshingly straightforward. Chris Makepeace is cast perfectly as a reluctant victim of extortion by Matt Dillon's high school band of thugs. Adam Baldwin relays a sense of pain, anguish, and grief that you can nearly touch. What can you say about Matt Dillon (Moody)? Anyone who has ever been bullied will squirm in their seat after watching him for just ten minutes. This is one of those special movies that will appeal to so many different people. Haven't we all been to high school? been bullied at some point? got caught up in ridiculous rumor and innuendo? if so, then definitely take time to watch this timeless classic.