A low-budget sleeper, Tony Bill's debut as a director was a critical and commercial success. The film has appeal to anyone who has had fantasies about getting revenge on a tormentor, or anyone who had trouble finding a place in the cruel hierarchy of high school society.
Clifford (Chris Makepeace) is the new kid in school, small and 'sensitive'. He soon is a target for Moody (Matt Dillon), who leads a gang of bullies extorting lunch money from undersized students. Refusing to pay, Clifford instead recruits hulking Linderman (Adam Baldwin) as a bodyguard. Linderman is silent and friendless as the result of a gun accident that killed his younger brother. But Moody has a bodyguard of his own (Hank Salas), whom Linderman seems afraid of.
Clifford also has an eventful family life. His father (Martin Mull) is a hotel manager and his grandmother (Ruth Gordon) is an eccentric manhunter. A secondary storyline has Mull fearing the loss of his job due to Gordon's drunken hitting on hotel patrons.
"My Bodyguard" has some interesting bit players: John Houseman as a hotel bigshot, George Wendt as a maintenance man, and Jennifer Beals as a high school student.
The script sometimes finds its mark, especially as Linderman is brought out from his reclusive shell. Mull and Gordon are entertaining as usual, while Dillon and Baldwin are well-cast. However, the low budget shows in the sound and editing, and the finale is implausible. Linderman and Clifford win their fist fights in 'Rocky' fashion, absorbing much punishment at first, but then suddenly winning. Clifford's faith in Linderman is credible (what alternative does he have?), but not his beating up Moody. (61/100)
Comedy - general DVD - This quietly compelling film explores the hardships and anxieties of high school with intelligence, sensitivity, warmth and hum...More at Barnes and Noble
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