July 11th dawned with a nervous energy that crackled in the air. Inside the small, yet bustling, Music Box Theatre in Chicago, a sense of anticipation hung heavy. It wasn't the typical Hollywood premiere, with its glaring spotlights and throngs of screaming fans, but rather an intimate gathering of those who had poured their hearts and souls into "My Bodyguard."
Nancy and her husband, Edward Jones, sat beside their daughter, Janet Jones, their faces beaming with pride and excitement. Joining them was Alex's father, John Hayes, his eyes glistening with a mixture of paternal pride and disbelief as he prepared to witness his son's debut on the silver screen.
The atmosphere was thick with the mingled scents of popcorn and nervous sweat. The theater was modestly filled with the cast and crew. Actors Adam Baldwin and Matt Dillon, and Director Tony Bill, were huddled together, exchanging final words of encouragement and bracing themselves for the audience's reaction.
The absence of a grand red carpet and the usual Hollywood fanfare was palpable, a stark reminder of the film's humble budget. Yet, this only added to the sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment that permeated the air. A small group of local reporters milled about, their cameras flashing intermittently, capturing the raw, unfiltered emotion of the evening.
Amidst the modest crowd, a distinguished figure sat patiently, a notepad in hand. It was Roger Ebert, the esteemed film critic from the Chicago Sun-Times, invited by Universal Studios to offer his verdict on the film. His presence added an unexpected layer of gravitas to the event, a sense that this small premiere could have larger implications.
As Alex made his way through the crowd, his father, John, approached him, his voice thick with emotion. "Son," he said, his eyes shining, "I am so incredibly proud of you. To see you up there, on that screen... it's a dream come true."
Alex, his own heart pounding in his chest, managed a wry smile. "Thanks, Dad. Just hope I don't embarrass myself today."
John chuckled, clapping Alex on the shoulder. "You could never embarrass me, Alex."
Nancy hugged Alex tightly. "We're all so proud of you, sweetheart," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Edward and Janet are excited to attend the premiere."
As the lights began to dim, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned towards the screen, where the culmination of months of hard work and dreams was about to unfold. Alex took a deep breath, a mix of trepidation and exhilaration coursing through him. This was it.
The opening scene of "My Bodyguard" flickered to life, immediately capturing the audience's attention with its gritty yet heartfelt portrayal of adolescence. The camera focused on the young protagonist, Clifford Peache, played by Alex, a new student at Fleer High School who lives in an upscale Chicago luxury hotel with his father, the hotel manager, and his grandmother. Clifford's arrival at school in a hotel limousine quickly makes him a target for the school bullies.
The audience watched as Clifford's life intertwines with the menacing presence of Melvin Moody, the leader of the bullies, and the enigmatic Ricky Linderman, rumored to be a dangerous killer. A collective gasp arose from the audience as Adam Baldwin and Matt Dillon appeared on screen, their powerful presence commanding attention.
The film unfolded, drawing the audience into a world of bullying, friendship, and self-discovery. Initially, Moody and his gang regularly extort money from students, claiming it's for protection from Linderman. However, Clifford learns the truth about Linderman from a teacher: the rumors are exaggerated, and Linderman's younger brother died in an accidental shooting.
Despite the rumors, Clifford approaches Ricky and asks him to be his bodyguard. Ricky refuses, but the boys become friends after Ricky saves Clifford from a beating by Moody and his gang. Ricky, burdened by guilt and emotional issues over his brother's death, slowly begins to trust Clifford. Their friendship strengthens as Clifford helps Ricky find a rare part for his rebuilt motorcycle.
The film showcased touching moments, like when Ricky, with Clifford's help, starts to come out of his shell and disprove the rumors about him. The audience was particularly captivated during the tense confrontation in Lincoln Park, where Moody, joined by an older bodybuilder named Mike, intimidates and physically abuses Ricky, culminating in the vandalism of Ricky's motorcycle.
Another pivotal moment unfolds when Ricky, in a state of shame and anger, asks Clifford for money before revealing the truth about his brother's death—that he accidentally shot him. This revelation, delivered with raw emotion by Alex, left the audience in stunned silence, carrying a deep emotional impact.
The climax of the film was a showdown between two sides. Moody confronts Clifford and his friends again, and Ricky, having retrieved his motorcycle, is also present. Moody demands the motorcycle, leading to a fistfight between Mike and Ricky. The audience was on the edge of their seats as Ricky, after a brutal fight, finally defeats Mike. Then, Moody and Clifford engage in their own fight. The audience відчувала кожен удар as Clifford, initially fighting poorly, is coached by Ricky and eventually overcomes Moody, breaking his nose and shattering his aura of invincibility.
The film concludes with Ricky, having faced his past and proven his courage, jokingly asking Clifford to be his bodyguard, leaving the audience cheering.
Throughout the screening, the audience was utterly captivated. There were moments of intense silence, punctuated by gasps of shock, and outbursts of laughter during the film's lighter moments. The performances of the entire cast were superb, with Baldwin and Dillon delivering particularly compelling portrayals of complex and conflicted characters.
But it was Alex who truly shone. As the protagonist, he was present in nearly every frame, carrying the emotional weight of the story with a maturity and nuance that belied his young age. He effortlessly conveyed a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability and fear to resilience and courage, drawing the audience in and making them deeply invested in his character's journey.
In the dimly lit theater, Roger Ebert sat engrossed, his pen scribbling furiously across his notepad. He was thoroughly impressed by the film, recognizing it as a powerful and moving work of cinema. In his mind, he was already composing his review, praising the film's direction, writing, and the exceptional performances of the cast.
*******
The morning after the premiere, Alex found himself back in Nancy's office at CAA, the usual blend of anxiety and anticipation swirling within him. Nancy, ever the composed professional, sat behind her desk, a stack of papers in front of her. The room felt charged, the atmosphere a stark contrast to the previous night's emotional rollercoaster.
"Alright, Alex," Nancy began, her voice steady, "the reviews are starting to trickle in, and we have the initial box office numbers." She paused, her gaze sweeping over Alex before settling back on the papers. "Overall, it's a positive response. 12 critics have weighed in so far. 8 are positive, 4 are mixed. That's a good start."
Swerdlick, who was also in the office, let out a relieved breath. "That's great! I was really nervous about what the critics would say."
Nancy nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "As always, there are a few standouts. And some very encouraging words for our young Mr. Hayes." She picked up a review and began to read, her voice taking on a slightly dramatic tone.
"Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times calls 'My Bodyguard' a 'small treasure, a movie about believable characters in an unusual situation. It doesn't pretend to be absolutely realistic, and the dynamics of its big city high school are simplified for the purposes of the story. But this movie is fun to watch because it touches memories that are shared by most of us, and because its young characters are recognizable individuals, and not simplified cartoon figures like so many movie teen-agers.' But he reserves special commendation for Alex's performance, noting his 'natural talent' and predicting he has a 'bright future' in film."
Nancy paused, glancing at Alex. "And Janet Maslin of The New York Times writes that the film has 'characters who really seem to be people,' a quality she finds rare and valuable. She also highlighted your 'maturity and nuance,' Alex, saying you 'carry the emotional weight of the story' with remarkable skill."
Alex shifted in his seat, a flush of pride warming his cheeks. It was one thing to hear praise from those who believed in him, but to have his performance acknowledged by such respected critics... it was surreal.
"They... they really liked it?" Swerdlick asked, his voice still laced with disbelief.
"They did, Michael," Nancy confirmed, placing the reviews on the desk. "And that's not all." She picked up another sheet of paper. "The initial box office returns are in. For a limited release in just 100 theaters, 'My Bodyguard' grossed $156,000."
A surprised silence filled the room. Alex did a quick mental calculation. That was over $1,500 per theater.
"That's... that's good, right?" Swerdlick ventured.
Nancy nodded, a genuine smile gracing her face now. "That's a very good result, Michael. Especially considering the limited release and the fact that Universal didn't invest heavily in advertising. This suggests the film is finding its audience through word-of-mouth, which is the best kind of publicity."
The weight of the past months seemed to lift from Alex's shoulders. The positive reviews, the encouraging box office numbers... it was a validation of his decision to take control of his career, to create his own opportunities. He knew there was still a long road ahead, but for the first time, he allowed himself to feel a surge of hope for the future.
Word-of-mouth interest in the film grew, particularly among teenagers who connected with its portrayal of high school life. This was reflected in the subsequent box office performance. On Saturday, the film grossed $175,000, and on Sunday, it brought in $181,000, bringing the total gross to $512,000.
The film continued to perform well throughout the week, grossing an additional $311,000 over the next four weekdays, bringing the total gross to $823,000.
Universal Pictures took a look at these figures and saw the potential for a box office success, prompting them to expand the movie to 500 theaters next weekend.