Rating of
3.5/4
Rob Reiner/Stephen King collaboration worth seeing
mdtinney - wrote on 10/12/09
I first watched this movie when I was around 17 years old and I love it even more every time I watch it. "Stand by Me" is the ultimate story about friendship, and being able to trust and rely on your friends. It's main characters are four twelve year old boys; intelligent, aspiring writer Gordie (Wil Wheaton), the 'tough' leader Chris (River Phoenix), the sensitive 'but trying to hide it' Teddy (Corey Feldman) and Vern (Jerry O'Connell), the wuss of the group.
The four friends, who are all facing troubles at home, group together in order to find the body of a 12 year old who was recently hit by a train and killed. However, the bad gang in town is also after the body, and so Gordie and his friends must get there first. The story is told from the perspective of an older Gordie, looking back on his childhood, and takes place over a period of 2 days. They face several adventures along the way, but it turns out that what they realise at the end of the day is how strong friendships can be.
My favorite thing in this movie is the friendship between Gordie and his best friend Chris. They're two very different boys, but their friendship is so powerful and strong it is the highlight of the movie. My favorite performance in this whole movie has to be the one by the now late River Phoenix; he is incredibly natural and lights up every scene he is in. He is arguably the best actor of his generation, and would've been one of the big stars of today, had he not died so young. All of the performances, however, contribute to the enormous success that this movie is.
