Stand by me review

The Writer: [voiceover] I was 12 going on 13 the first time I saw a dead human being. It happened in the summer of 1959-a long time ago, but only if you measure in terms of years. I was living in a small town in Oregon called Castle Rock. There were only twelve hundred and eighty-one people. But to me, it was the whole world.

Director: Rob Reiner
(1986)

I will admit, I'm not one to usually rewatch films. I feel that many films aren’t as good after the first viewing. If a film does come along that I would like to watch a second time, I often wait a year before seeing it again, so it will feel fresh upon this repeated viewing. There are of course, films that are just as good the first time as they are the second, and Stand by Me is one of those films.

An almost too simple tale of friendship and self discovery, stand by me is one of the best coming of age stories ever told. It follows Gordie (Wil Wheaton) Chris (River Phoenix) Teddy (Cory Feldman) and Vern (Jerry O’ Connell) as they embark on a journey through the woods on the outskirts of their hometown to find the body of a missing boy. After learning the body’s location off Vern’s idiotic brother, they depart with hopes of becoming famous for uncovering his fate. Despite the majority of the film being dominated by child actors, Stand by Me effortlessly manages its dramatic moments. All four on the leads have talent, and do a fantastic job of holding the film together. It’s fair to say these are the best child performances of all time, an achievement that looks like it will stand for a while.

Thomas Del Ruth’s excellent cinematography captures the beauty of the Oregon countryside. The green leaves and orange sunsets are stunning, and really add to the film, making the journey in which the boys undertake feel so much grander. Granted, they are only travelling 20, maybe 30 miles, but to them, and to us, it feels like a vast adventure. In today's age of technology and urbanization, the fields and forests that the gang treks through seem quite alien, making their journey feel like the exploration of uncharted territory to today's youth. Coupled with a dreamy haze that lingers over every inch of this corner of Oregon, the location becomes a character itself.

The story that takes place on this journey is rather simple, but it merely acts as a vessel for the journey before the destination. Around the midway point the boy’s camp out in the woods, discussing cartoons and food, or as our narrator puts it “the kind of talk that seemed important until you discovered girls”. This growing, this coming of age makes up the heart of Stand by Me, and the emotional scenes really hit home here. The characters remain grounded and likable throughout, a far cry from other child starring films. Stand by Me is all about growing up, and this sentiment gives the film such universal appeal, it’s a throwback to the good old days, when the world was the town where you lived and the biggest concern was the next homework assignment.

A special mention should go to Kiefer Sutherlands antagonist Ace Merrill. Initially just a bully to Gordie and Chris, he finds out about the body and takes his gang of thugs to find it in an attempt for personal glory. The paths of Ace and our heroes cross in a sensational climax, a phenomenal moment to go down as a scene that is the definition of coming of age. Shortly after, the film swells to a powerful and emotional conclusion. Stand by me isn't a long film, but by the end you feel like you’ve been on a journey with these characters; done what they’ve done and seen what they’ve seen. Yes, the script is a little spotty at times, but when a film is as engrossing and evocative as this, it’s hard to notice. Stand by Me is the definitive coming of age film, the rite of passage going from a child to adolescent, an odyssey of self discovery with the people who mean the most to you. Simply a masterpiece that I’ll watch again and again.

9