Stand By Me (Slip)
by Rob Reiner
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VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, River Phoenix, Wil WheatonDirector: Rob Reiner
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 87 minutes
Release Date: 2002-06-25
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Studio: Sony Pictures
VHS Movie Reviews of Stand By Me (Slip)
Movie Review: A softer side of the King of horror...
Summary: 4 Stars
I expected something different from `Stand by Me'; that is, since it was written by Stephen King (the novella from which the film was adapted from was) I was expecting something thrilling or scary. What I got was something completely opposite yet equally engaging. Instead of a horror film or even a tense thriller, we are presented with a deeply moving story about friendship, relationships and boyhood. `Stand by Me' is a beautifully told story of adolescence; of four boys who find that central part of themselves over a weekend trek through the woods.
Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern are on the brink of their teenage years. Growing up in the 50's has not been too kind to them. Their families are rocky as is their relationships with them. Gordie, who narrates the story as an adult looking back at this chapter of his life, is conflicted at home. His older brother has recently died, and his father is so wrecked over it that he casts Gordie aside as if he were unwanted. Chris, Gordie's best friend, is treated horribly by the rest of the community because of his background (his father and brother are major trouble) and so he has become his own worst enemy because of it; downgrading himself and his own possibilities because of his conditioned mentality. Teddy has suffered bizarre abuse from his father, who is now institutionalized; and Vern, well, he's got problems of his own (weight is always an issue).
When a young boy their same age goes missing, and they get word that the body is down by the railroad tracks, the boys decide to trek out to find it and report the body. What starts out as a few friends satisfying a morbid interest turns into a coming of age story that winds up completing these four young men in ways they never imagined.
The movie is not perfect, but in parts it is grand. Some of the acting is off, but there are some amazing performances that totally make up for the few inconsistencies; and while one major part of the film didn't sit right with me (the narration annoyed me) I can see its purpose; even if I wasn't a fan.
The performances by the four young boys were all good, some great, some even superb. Corey Feldman is an annoying celebrity (now that is) but when you separate his personal Hollywood existence from this performance you can see that he did a very good job. He played the misunderstood kid, or in other words he played a normal kid, and he did it well. Jerry O'Connell also does a fine job here at being a normal (albeit overweight) kid. He's also an annoying celebrity now, but that's beside the point. Wil Wheaton was less than impressive for me, especially since this was `his' movie and I never really felt compelled to watch him, except for in some of the final more crucial scenes. He does a fine job in the end, but overall he was a little one-note. Kiefer Sutherland delivers a memorable and engaging supporting performance as Ace, the town bully; but this movie belongs to the late River Phoenix who really deserved an Oscar nomination for his dynamic portrayal of the tortured Chris Chambers. I was drawn to his every move, his every word, his every action and his character development was extraordinary.
In the end I have to recommend this movie. It could have been tightened in a few areas (I would have liked a little tension, and the removal of the narration would have been ideal) but the film is still a wonderfully fulfilling and rewarding journey through the tragedies as well as the blessings of adolescence. Sprinkled with some wonderful performances and some poignant life lessons, `Stand by Me' is one of those touching buddy flicks you just can't help but adore.
Summary of Stand By Me (Slip)
A sleeper hit when released in 1986, Stand by Me is based on Stephen King's novella "The Body" (from the book Different Seasons); but it's more about the joys and pains of boyhood friendship than a morbid fascination with corpses. It's about four boys ages 12 and 13 (Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell) who take an overnight hike through the woods near their Oregon town to find the body of a boy who's been missing for days. Their journey includes a variety of scary adventures (including a ferocious junkyard dog, a swamp full of leeches, and a treacherous leap from a train trestle), but it's also a time for personal revelations, quiet interludes, and the raucous comradeship of best friends. Set in the 1950s, the movie indulges an overabundance of anachronistic profanity and a kind of idealistic, golden-toned nostalgia (it's told in flashback as a story written by Wheaton's character as an adult, played by Richard Dreyfuss). But it's delightfully entertaining from start to finish, thanks to the rapport among its young cast members and the timeless, universal themes of friendship, family, and the building of character and self-esteem. Kiefer Sutherland makes a memorable teenage villain, and look closely for John Cusack in a flashback scene as Wheaton's now-deceased and dearly missed brother. A genuine crowd-pleaser, this heartfelt movie led director Rob Reiner to even greater success with his next film, The Princess Bride. --Jeff ShannonDrama VHS Video
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