My Bodyguard (1980)

Clifford (Chris Makepeace) is the new kid in a Chicago public school. He learns quickly that the students are ruled by a bully named Melvin Moody (Matt Dillion) who demands total obedience. Clifford approaches the one kid in school that even the bully and his cohorts whisper about: a brooding, hulking boy named Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin). Clifford overcomes his fear of Ricky to ask him to protect him from Melvin. What Clifford doesn't know is that Ricky's imposing demeanor hides a tragic secret.

Very charming movie that captures what it is to be the new face in an hostile environment. The teenagers seem like those that would be found in any school, anywhere. Joan Cusack (In & Out), whose parents ran an acting school in nearby Evanston, IL, appears as one of Clifford's friends. Another Chicagoland native, Jennifer Beals ("The L Word") is another kid among Clifford's crew. Martin Mull ("Fernwood 2Nite") and Ruth Gordon (Harold and Maude) portray Clifford's father and grandmother. Tim Kazurinsky ("Saturday Night Live") has a small part as a workman.