Stand By Me (1986)

Released in 1986, two years before I was born, and I first saw it age thirteen when it was broadcast on the AMC television network. Set in the summer of 1959, STAND BY ME tells the story of four pre-teenage boys from Castle Rock, Oregon: the quiet and bookish Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), the tough but stereotyped Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), the eccentric and physically deformed Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and the timid and overweight Vern Tessio (Jerry O’ Connell) who go on a journey to find the body of a kid their age who had gone missing and presumed dead. This was the first movie I saw the late great River Phoenix (My Own Private Idaho, Running on Empty), who became one of my favorite actors and I thought he was terrific as Chris. I’m surprised that this movie is based on a novella called “The Body” that fame Horror novelist Stephen King wrote and actor/director Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men) was the man who directed this incredible movie. All the younger actors: Wheaton, Feldman, and O ‘Connell along with a teenage Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack, were all terrific in their performances. I also liked Richard Dreyfuss’ performance as The Narrator and The Writer of this film. I loved the classic 50’s music that Reiner used for this movie, such as “Lollipop” by The Chordettes, “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, “Yakety Yak” by The Coasters, and of course, Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”. Both Wheaton and Phoenix appeared in the 1986 music video of the re-released song. Filled with Drama, Comedy, and adventure, STAND BY ME is one of the best movies of both the 80’s and all time. It is also both a definite must see and add to your movie collection.