Watch My Bodyguard

In the 1980 movie My Bodyguard, high school student Clifford Peache, played by Chris Makepeace, has just moved to a new school in Chicago. He quickly becomes the target of a bully named Moody, played by Matt Dillon, who terrorizes him both during and after school. Clifford is an easy target, not only because of his small size, but also because his father is a hotel manager and Moody's father is one of the hotel's biggest clients.

Desperate for help, Clifford tries to convince the school's maintenance man Linderman, played by Adam Baldwin, to be his bodyguard. Linderman is a tall and imposing figure, rumored to have killed his own brother, and many of his classmates are afraid of him. At first, Linderman refuses to help, but soon he starts to take an interest in Clifford's situation.

As the two become friends, Linderman starts to open up to Clifford and reveal some of the inner pain that has made him so reclusive. For his part, Clifford starts to gain confidence, knowing that he has a protector who is feared by even the toughest bullies.

But Moody is not easily deterred, and he continues to plot against Clifford. When he realizes that Linderman is the one who has been protecting Clifford, he turns his attention to him, leading to a final confrontation between the two.

My Bodyguard is a sweet and touching coming-of-age story that deals with themes of friendship, loyalty, and standing up for oneself. The performances by Makepeace, Baldwin, and Dillon are all excellent, and the movie has a subtle humor that keeps it from ever becoming too heavy-handed.

One of the things that sets My Bodyguard apart from other teen movies of the time is its portrayal of a complicated and troubled young man like Linderman. Rather than being a one-dimensional tough guy or a sensitive jock, Linderman is a complex character with a lot of pain and vulnerability underneath his tough exterior. Baldwin's performance is understated and nuanced, conveying all of Linderman's complexity without ever resorting to cliches.

The movie also does a good job of showing how bullying can affect someone's life, both inside and outside of school. Moody is not just a garden-variety bully, but a genuinely frightening character who seems to take pleasure in causing pain and humiliation to others. Makepeace's performance as Clifford is also strong, as he manages to convey the fear and desperation that come with being singled out for abuse by a group of people.

Overall, My Bodyguard is a well-crafted and heartwarming movie that manages to deal with serious issues in a way that is both realistic and entertaining. Its message of standing up for oneself and finding true friends is still relevant today, and its characters are memorable and relatable. If you're looking for a movie that combines humor, drama, and social commentary, My Bodyguard is definitely worth checking out.

My Bodyguard is a 1980 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 67.