Stand By Me

In this coming of age drama directed by Rob Reiner, a brotherhood of four young pre-teen friends get closer through the events of the summer of '59.

As the movie opens, we are introduced to the characters and situations by a wonderful narration from Richard Dreyfuss, who plays the middle-aged central character, Gordie Lachance.

As the older Lachance starts to relate the events of the summer from the opening of his book, we teleport back to his childhood memories in the fictional small Oregon town of Castle Rock.

The four friends, (a brilliantly chosen cast), Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (the wonderful, late River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) overhear some members of an older gang discussing the location of the body of a young boy about their age, who had been killed by a train.

They all decide to set out on this adventurous journey to find the body whilst the town bully, Ace (played by Kiefer Sutherland) learns of the situation and decides to also search for the kid's body.

The location as given in the conversation is some days trek from the boys' home and the eventful journey is a highly engaging adventure and proves to bond the four young friends for life whilst showing so much growth among all of the characters.

Each one of the boys has a difficult affliction that affects his own life that is exposed and reconciled during the journey: Gordie's older brother Denny, (played by John Cusack), died three months ago and as a result, Gordie is basically ignored by his father.

Chris has an abusive father and mean brother; Teddy's father who "stormed the beach at Normandy" abused him by nearly burning off his ear by holding his head to the stove; Vern is the fat kid who is constantly picked on.

The magic of "Stand by Me" is shown in the depth of the characters affection for one another and how the individual characters' weaknesses are reconciled through the power of friendship as the journey unfolds.

All these fine young actors deliver an astounding performance with range and depth of emotion, but it is River Pheonix who steals the show with an outstanding performance in this, one of his first movie roles. It's a great tragedy that he left us so soon, as he was truly talented.