We all deserve to die even you mrs lovett even I.
Because in all of the whole human race, Mrs lovett there are two kinds of men and only two.
Stand By Me Review, For Zack Walford
Stand By Me, Rob Reiner’s 1986 bittersweet coming of age story based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, is definitely one of those films that move me.
Reiner, working from a well-written screenplay by Raymond Gideon and Bruce A. Evans, excellently captures King’s nostalgia-tinged story’s mix of drama, comedy and even a bit of horror. He coaxes very natural acting from his four main actors, particularly from Wheaton, Phoenix, and O’Connell. Even Feldman, a child actor I really did not like in other films before his career flopped, is heartbreakingly poignant as Teddy Duchamp, the son of a mentally-ill World War II veteran. Despite being scarred by his father’s harsh punishments, Teddy is proud of his father’s wartime service. One of the best scenes is his confrontation with the junkyard operator of Castle Rock, where Teddy’s conflicting emotions of anger and love for his dad are summed up by his tearful yell of “My father stormed the beach at Normandy!”
The heart and soul of this movie comes from the friendship between Gordie Lachance (Wheaton), the sensitive would-be writer, and Chris Chambers (Phoenix), a bright kid who seems destined for disgrace because he comes from the wrong part of Castle Rock. Chris projects a tough shell to hide his inner turmoil, while Gordie is having trouble coping with a family tragedy.
Reiner shines as a director capable of mixing moments of comedy, drama and a wickedly sick revenge story told by Gordie involving a very large boy and a pie-eating contest.
A particularly effective narration by Richard Dreyfuss (who plays the adult Gordon Lachance) adds just the right mix of wry humor and bittersweet nostalgia, and Jack Nitzsche’s gentle and subtle score, with its interpolation of the classic rock ‘n’ roll song “Stand By Me” just heightens the poignancy of this affecting tale of boyhood friendship. Everytime those credits roll i tear up just hearing Ben. E Kings rendition of Stand by me.
This is my shortest review i have ever written, as i’m struggling to say things that have not been said by people who have seen this film, people aren’t stupid and everyone comes away from ‘Stand by me’; with the same feeling of nostalgia and yearn to be a child again. And finally R.I.P River Phoenix. Too soon man.
