My Bodyguard (film)

Synopsis

Chris Makepeace (fresh from working with Bill Murray in Meatballs) plays high-school student Clifford Peache, newly transferred to Chicago with his single hotel-manager father (Fernwood 2-Nights Martin Mull). The new school offers a few friendly faces (including Joan Cusack as Shelly and an uncredited Jennifer Beals) but these are over-shadowed by the dark countenances of a band of toughs led by Moody (a pre-S.E.Hinton Matt Dillon). Moody is the sort of skinny, greasy-haired punk who compensates for his small stature with pure white-trash vitriol and a criminal cunning most likely cultivated from multiple viewings of The Godfather. Moody and his boys offer "protection" from Ricky (Adam Baldwin of The Patriot and Serenity), the school boogeyman. Rumors abound that he shot a cop, raped a teacher; the only hope for survival is to turn over your lunch money. Being the sort of protagonist that would make Gregory Peck proud, Clifford doesn?t allow his complete lack of fighting ability to sway him from the path of righteousness. He refuses to succumb to their extortion. This results in the sort of bullying that, in a time of metal-detectors and massacres, seems quaint; after-school chases, basketball fouls, and locker stuffing. Nevertheless, it all becomes too much for Clifford who finally gives in to paying the protection money; to Ricky.

Related Topics:
Chris Makepeace - Bill Murray - Meatballs - Chicago - Fernwood 2-Night - Martin Mull - Joan Cusack - Jennifer Beals - S.E.Hinton - Matt Dillon - The Godfather - Adam Baldwin - The Patriot - Serenity - Protagonist - Gregory Peck

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The hulking pariah agrees to serve, for free, as Clifford?s bodyguard. The effect this has on Moody?s gang is tremendous. Apparently, they?ve grown to believe their own hype and back down from Ricky without a fight. Clifford attempts to build a friendship with his new henchman, but Ricky will have nothing to do with that. They maintain a business relationship until Moody hires his own bodyguard. Mike looks like the sort that should have finished school when Elvis died, but not so tough that a badass like Ricky couldn?t handle. Ricky does not respond though as Mike and Moody subject him to verbal taunts and physical abuse. He stands idly as they vandalize his newly rebuilt motorcycle and throw it into a pond. Why won't he fight back?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The truth about Ricky?s past soon follows. While they played with a gun his younger brother was shot and killed. He isn?t a cold-hearted maniac. He?s a damaged loner with no desire to become close to anyone and less desire to hurt anyone. Clifford, with the help of his eccentric Gramma (Ruth Gordon of Harold and Maude fame), helps Ricky heal this old wound. Ricky then encourages his new friend to stand up for himself. The movie ends in a good ol? fashioned fistfight that culminates in Moody?s amateur rhinoplasty.

Related Topics:
Ruth Gordon - Harold and Maude - Rhinoplasty

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~