When Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard... Read allWhen Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard.When Clifford Peache enrolls in a new high school and is harassed by a bully named Moody, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid, the sullen Ricky Linderman, as a bodyguard.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFeature film debut of Adam Baldwin, Joan Cusack, Jennifer Beals (uncredited), Dean Devlin and Paul Quandt.
- GoofsIn the lunch counter scene, Shelley is shown buying an RC soda, and carrying it to the table. A following cut shows her drinking from a Diet Rite can.
- Quotes
Clifford Peache: It's because of your brother, isn't it? You can't fight because of what happened to your brother. That's it, isn't it?
Ricky Linderman: What do you know?
Clifford Peache: A lot of excuses is what I know.
Ricky Linderman: Shut up!
Clifford Peache: You don't talk to anybody for more than a year. You walk around like a damn ape for nothing.
Ricky Linderman: Shut up, Clifford!
Clifford Peache: You build a bike for no reason, to go nowhere. And then you let some jerk throw it into the lake.
Ricky Linderman: Shut up!
Clifford Peache: All because of something you had nothing to do with. I mean, anybody could have found your brother. It just happened to be you!
Ricky Linderman: [shoving Clifford against a fence] Shut up. Shut up, I didn't find him! I KILLED him! I shot him!
Clifford Peache: Jesus...
Ricky Linderman: We were home alone. We were playing with my dad's gun. I was showing off. Showing off, you know, like a goddamn fool! He said "Let me hold it," and I said "No. No, you're not allowed to," and he got mad and he grabbed it... and it fired. God, I was laughing. I was laughing when it went off. Blood gushed out of the side of his head and he didn't even know it. You know what he was worried about? He was afraid when dad got home, he'd get spanked. The last thing he said to me, he said "you're going to have to take the blame for this one." I couldn't even do that right. I lied. I put the gun in his hand and I said I found him that way. Never told anyone before.
Clifford Peache: It wasn't your fault. You didn't mean for it to happen.
Ricky Linderman: I'm sorry, Clfford. I know you mean well. I let everyone down. That's just the way I am.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)
- SoundtracksSerenade for Strings in G Major, K. 525 (Eine kleine Nachtmusik)
(uncredited)
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Played by the kids in the music class in the gym
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.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die Schulhofratten von Chicago
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $22,482,952
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $178,641
- Jul 13, 1980
- Gross worldwide
- $22,482,952