Stand by Me

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Denis B Been my favourite movie of all time since I was 12. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/25 Full Review Jenna R Rob Reiner’s 1986 comedy-drama, Stand by Me, is a timeless, bittersweet tale of friendship, and growing up. Adapted from Stephen King’s novella The Body, it follows Gordon Lachance as he recounts the summer before he and his friends enter junior high and go their separate ways, when they set out on a journey to see a dead body. Like Reiner’s other films such as When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Flipped (2010), its beauty lies in its simplicity, cushioned with comedy that flows effortlessly. The sense of comradery among the four boys, Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern is palpable and established early on with their first scene of them playing cards in the tree house. The framing in this scene does this expertly by using close-up, shoulder level shots. The three boys, Chris, Gordie, and Teddy are forced to be quite close to each other to fit in the frame which translates their comfortability and tight knit relationship. Once Vern joins the boys in the tree house, after a bit of light hearted teasing, he sits on the other side of the tree house and they cut between shots of Vern alone and the other three boys together. This subtle, yet intentional, framing of these shots naturally hints at Vern momentarily knowing something that the others don’t. These minor details of the film contributed to the overall use of realism. The dialogue and delivery between the characters is believable when accompanied with naturalistic acting, especially in regards to the boys with their shared inside jokes and seemingly mundane conversations, like Teddy and Vern’s debate about who would win in a fight, Mighty Mouse or Superman. Additionally, the film did not rely on elaborate sets, significant background music, or complicated editing to manipulate the audience. The film being shot on location added an extra bit of authenticity that makes this film so special. Numerous shots of the natural landscape provide the audience with a sense of familiarity, for example the wide shot of the boys walking the tracks as they sing “The Ballad of Paladin" in which they are miniscule in comparison to the sprawling land of grass and evergreens. The lack of background music allowed for sounds that many associate with summer adventures to peek through, like crunching gravel and the hum of cicadas. Any musical accompaniment is the product of a radio and the songs are largely indicative of the time, cultivating the overall atmosphere of the film, like The Chordettes’ “Lollipop”. The film largely relies on dissolves when transitioning from scene to scene with the use of distortion for Gordie’s dream being the extent of any overly technical editing in keeping with homey, nostalgic elements of the film. The chronological unfolding of events with clear distinction of past and present allows for an easy consumption for all viewers. All these years later this film is still relevant. Collectively, its rawness, and relatability are what have allowed it to withstand the test of time. This movie's charm is the realness of its depiction of summer adventures with friends and the emotional truths we must face as we grow up. It provides a viewing experience that everyone can see themselves in, making it a must watch for all. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/25 Full Review Jay M You don't watch movies like you use to when you were younger. Gosh... does anyone? They don't make 'em like they use to. A perfect blend of story, adventure and drama. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Stanny R One of the best movies I’ve ever seen and certainly the best in its category. Rarely does a film touch me like this one did. Perfect capture of a young friendship. Lifetime performances from Phoenix and Wheaton in particular! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review r96 s 'Stand by Me' is undeniably an 80s flick - and a good one at that. The kid actors aren't actually all that great in terms of the performances that they give, though do have likeability and a beliveable friendship that make them worthy of watching across a road trip of sorts. Corey Feldman is the only youngster onscreen that I thought that I previously knew of, though I now see that Jerry O'Connell ('Kangaroo Jack', whatta film) appears - unrecognisable! The much more identifiable Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack are in this too. As noted at the top, the cast are fine but work best as a collective. I was wondering all the way through if they were actually going to use the great Ben E. King track at some point, so you can imagine my happiness upon hearing those first few notes sneaking in at the conclusion. A fitting end, to a movie that my uncle has been recommending for a while - a generational favourite, evidently. I get it. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Kevin P A fantastic departure from Stephen King's usual brand of horror to give us easily one of the best coming of age stories on film. It does such a great job at capturing the essence of childhood and all the uncertainties of taking your first steps from childhood into adolescence. There's also a great connection to nature with their long trek to uncover the rumored body. Makes you feel nostalgic for your childhood spent hanging out with friends and hiking in the woods, from school, to camp, to those amazing summer weekends. The ending monologue about those being "the best of our life" really hits hard after everything the characters went through. Each character is very likable with strong personalities and great child performances. It's a very funny movie with a good balance between comedy, adventure, and genuine drama. Easily one of my favorite Stephen King's adaptations and coming-of-age films in general. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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