Not Just Another Coming of Age Story

Will Wheaton (left) Jerry O' Connell (front)
River Phoenix (back) Corey Feldman (right) 

            The coming of age story is a common if not clichéd affair. They have been done so frequently and to such similar effect that stories begin to overlap and differences appear only through superficial subtleties. That being said Rob Reiner’s movie “Stand by Me”, based off of Stephen King’s novella “The Body”, unshackles itself from the traditional coming of age story by diversifying themes. Instead of focusing on the journey of boys proving their manhood through sexual conquest, this movie goes in a different direction instead showing the growth of the boys through a new found sense of mortality.

At times the movie breaks from its childishness and
becomes truly touching

If you have not seen “Stand by Me” the plot is basic in essence. In a fictional town of Castlerock Oregon, four young boys are primed to enter middle school, as this will mark their separation due to varying schooling levels, the boys make the most of their last summer together. When one hears that a dead body lies beyond the train tracks the group is instantly inspired to seek it out expecting local fame as their reward for finding it. The movie follows the two days that the boys journey along the tracks to find the body. This was done nicely as it reflected their young sense of scale.

A young Kiefer Sutherland struts his stuff

The story is told through as one big flashback from character Gordie Lachance (played by Richard Dreyfuss with the younger Gordie being played by Will Wheaton) who narrates his youth adventure. This style gives the situations context and really helps include the viewer connect to the story and characters.

             What really makes the movie succeed is the authenticity of the kids. Though it is a movie, the cast of Wheaton, Phoenix, O’Connell and Feldman are all truly believable in their roles. Though the movie may not relate as well to youth as it used to this movie is definitely worth a watch. “Stand by Me” proves itself to be a classic as well as a stepping stone for many young actors who future it helped shape.