Stand by Me

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Matthew M Jul 24 Absolutely amazing movie. One of my all time favorites. See more Zach B @ZachBasham67 1d One of the best movies of all time See more Tommy H 1d It has a relatable theme, but that’s basically all the movie offers. See more Matthew D @OceanSage 1d The quintessential coming of age drama. Stand by Me (1986) is a coming of age drama focused in on childhood nostalgia for the good old days of hanging out with your best friends. Rob Reiner directed his finest film with Stand by Me. Reiner recreates the 1950's with the clothing, music, town setting, natural surroundings, and the open journey adventure these children undertake. Stand by Me features an all star cast of excellent child actors. From the dejected, shy authorial type Will Wheaton to chubby goofball Jerry O'Connell. Also, Corey Feldman is the wildly funny and outgoing adrenaline freak with a damaged past. Lastly, the late River Phoenix stars as the tough guy with a heart of gold and kind empathy. I miss Phoenix as an actor for his depth and realism as much as his pained eyes convey even more hurt already. I must mention Stand by Me also has Kiefer Sutherland as the mean bully with a death wish. His presence is always felt as he exudes menace from the first time we see him. See more Jonathan T Nov 28 One of the top moves from the 80's. See more Nov 20 From the very first scene, the film captures the messy, beautiful, and painful truth of what it means to grow up. It follows four boys on a journey to find a missing kid, but what they end up discovering is far more important: themselves, their courage, and the value of real friendship. The cast, led by a young Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell, delivers performances so emotionally honest that they still feel real decades later. River Phoenix, especially, gives a stunning, heartbreaking portrayal of Chris Chambers — wise, wounded, and fiercely loyal. Their chemistry is natural and lived-in, making every scene feel like watching actual childhood memories. What makes Stand By Me extraordinary is its balance of nostalgia, humor, and raw emotion. The film dives into themes of abuse, loss, identity, and the pain of growing apart — but it never loses its warmth. It shows how friendships in childhood can shape who we become, even long after life pulls us in different directions. The 1950s setting is captured beautifully, with wide-open landscapes and small-town charm that create an atmosphere both nostalgic and timeless. And the soundtrack — especially the title song — is iconic, giving the film a warm, wistful heartbeat. Stand By Me is the rare film that feels both intimate and universal. It’s funny, emotional, and brutally honest about what it means to leave childhood behind. Every scene, from the campfire confessions to the unforgettable train tracks, is etched into cinematic history. A perfect film. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or returning to it years later, Stand By Me hits just as hard — a timeless reminder that "friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant," but some leave a mark forever. See more Read all reviews

Stand by Me

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