Die Schulhofratten von Chicago

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.

Maybe it's just because I saw it in the theater when I was ten when it first came out, but it was one of those movies that affected me in a big way. Those of you actually BORN in 1980 can look at it as some relic, but I say it will stand the test of time like Fast Times at Ridgmont High and Over the Edge. This is a movie from a time when kids attempted to brush their hair, wore terry-cloth OP's and listened to Led Zeppelin. Video games pretty much meant Asteroids and Pong. Oh, the dark ages!!! What would all these new fresh-faced movie-goers do without their Nintendo Play-station Cubes and Matrix kung-fu digital effects? Back then we had Star Wars, and believe me, it was practically enough. I say practically because we begged for and demanded sequels and thats how all this crap got started in the first place. But back to my main point--- this movie rules and were all better off for it. It launched alot of careers (though unfortunately not Mr. Makepeace's) and was crucial to the generation it was tailored for as far as teaching us about life after elementary school. By the way, the fight scene may not be Crouching Tiger, but it's how it really works when you ACTUALLY have to fight. Oh, and bullies DID hang out in bathrooms all day, and a can of soda cost 25 cents. And for the record you will see the last recorded moment when someone flipped someone off by extending ONLY the middle finger. All that and Ruth Gordon, no less. Yeah!!!

I recently saw this movie again and I was surprised at how well it holds up. The story isn't dated, the situations are universal and current and the acting is fine. The plots are believable, interesting and satisfying. For a sleeper of a film in 1980, it stands out as 1 of the better teen genre pieces that flooded the theaters in the 80's. The ending is a bit sappy, but it still doesn't detract from a very sweet story with characters you can actually cheer for (except, of course for Moody and Mike, but it was fun booing them as well).

Of all the teen flicks that came out of the 1980s, MY BODYGUARD is one of three that stands out as an intelligent and moving study of American adolescence that doesn't now look like a dated genre piece(THE BREAKFAST CLUB and SAY ANYTHING are the others). Sure, there's shaggy hair and all the other things that date the movie fashion-wise, but the characters shine with humanity and poignancy, and that makes the movie memorable. In fact, some could convincingly argue that the movie is all about the characters, people that movie audiences will care about. Add to that the situation of being the new kid and trying to survive the jungle of high school(something most every American teen can relate to), and you have a great little film. Chris Makepeace is the new kid who tranfers to a urban Chicago highschool from a private school and immediately runs afoul of school bully Matt Dillon. Searching for a solution to his predicament, Makepeace enlists Adam Baldwin, a silent, hulking classmate with a mysterious past, to protect him. What unfolds is a rare friendship between Makepeace and Baldwin, as we learn more about Baldwin's character and some terrible secrets he holds. Whether intentional or not, the film sends a message that the people we encounter everyday are just that, people with feelings and problems and not just the labels or stereotypes we assign them. Makepeace needs Baldwin for protection from Dillon, and Baldwin needs Makepeace's friendship to rescue him from the isolation he has endured as a result of past experiences. One unusual aspect of the movie is that several of the adult characters are sympathetic or even quirky, a rarity in teen films. Ruth Gordon shines as Makepeace's feisty grandmother, and Martin Mull puts in a turn as the bumbling but well-meaning father. And, unlike the nihilistic teens of today's current crop of movies, the teens(with the exception of Dillon and his cronies)are likable, friendly, and positive. They readily accept Makepeace and then Baldwin, after they see that the rumors about him are just that. This gives the movie a positive feel to it.

Definitely a winner. If you've ever been a teenager, wondered if you would belong, attended a high school or had to do battle with a bully, you'll find something to like about MY BODYGUARD.

This film is an absolute joy. When it came out 24 years ago my friends and I went to see it about 5-6 times. I've not seen it since and recently purchased it.

It was like opening a time capsule: everything was still fresh and true with tremendous performances from a terrific ensemble cast.

The standout performance belongs to Adam Baldwin. 17 when this was filmed, Baldwin's performance is nothing short of astonishing. His Linderman is classic "tough guy" on the outside, frightened loner beneath the surface. Properly fearful looking (the whole school is scared of this guy) Baldwin nonetheless makes it impossible for you not to feel for this kid and when, out of his greasy, shapeless clothes and cleaned up and dressed for dinner at the hotel, his smile and demeanor

Chris Makepeace shines as the tale's protagonist, Clifford and his persistence in courting friendship with Linderman is a turning point in the film.

Ruth Gordon is predictably hilarious as Cliff's grandmother ("Bats, bats!") whether getting tipsy and flirting with the married guests or dispensing relationship advice to her grandson ("never hit a woman . . . men think they want that . . . they don't!" )

One forgets how young Matt Dillon, Joan Cusack were when they started and both are terrific here.

A terrific little film with enormous heart.