My Bodyguard **** (1980, Chris Makepeace, Adam Baldwin, Matt Dillon, Ruth Gordon, Martin Mull, John Houseman, Joan Cusack) – Classic Movie Review 6518

Director Tony Bill’s basically nice, warm-hearted and well-meaning 1980 youth-oriented drama stars Chris Makepeace (5′ 9″) as Clifford, a Chicago teen living with his dad Mr Peache (Martin Mull) and his Gramma (Ruth Gordon).

When Clifford is bullied at his new school, he comes up with a way of protecting himself by paying the huge but inwardly tormented Linderman (the 6′ 4″Adam Baldwin, making his film debut) to be his bodyguard and protect him.

This is a cheering, quite exceptional movie with eye-catching performances by several young actors then going places and room for a couple of favourite oldies in Gordon and John Houseman as her old beau, Dobbs. The 17-year-old Matt Dillon does convincing work as the mean and nasty little hood Moody, extorting cash from the other kids, who retaliates by hiring his own, even more ferocious bodyguard.

Chris Makepeace stars as a Chicago teen.

Perhaps, in the end, it is an unbelievable wish fulfilment fantasy, but it is such a warm-hearted one that you want to believe in it. This promising first assignment as director for actor Bill is largely aimed at teen audiences, but there is plenty for older audiences to enjoy too.

Also in the cast are Paul Quandt (in his film debut), Joan Cusack as Shelley, Dean R Miller, Tim Reyna, Richard Bradley, Denise Baske, Hank Salas, Vicky Nelson, Craig Richard Nelson, George Wendt, Kathryn Goody, Richard Cusack, Dorothy Scott, Angelo Buscaglia and Kitt York.

It is written by Alan Ormsby, shot by Michael D Margulies, produced by Melvin Simon, scored by Dave Grusin and designed by Jackson de Givia.

Chris Makepeace was born on 22 April 1964 in Montréal and is known for Meatballs (1979), My Bodyguard (1980) and Vamp (1986).

By 2018, Bill’s most recent cinema feature as director is Flyboys (2006).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6518

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