Have you ever gone on a memorable summer adventure with your friends all by yourselves? Humbly answering this question, I would like to say yes, but it's not as memorable as the summer adventure that occurs in Rob Reiner's 1986 film, "Stand By Me."
This film depicts four boys who go on an unforgettable adventure to go retrieve a body of a child, nearly the same age as them, in order to become famous. However, during their trip and reaching their destination, they no longer have the same ambitions that they had before going on this trip. This film centers on the main four protagonists: Gordie (portrayed by Will Wheaton), Chris (portrayed by River Phoenix), Teddy (portrayed by Corey Feldman) and Vern (portrayed by Jerry O' Connell).
To begin with, I remembered hearing the film title for the first time at my dentist appointment last year when I made some nice small talk about '80s films, which I am still quite fascinated about, with the dentist checking my teeth. If I recall correctly, she told me that "Stand By Me" was her favorite 80s film. As a fan of 80s films, I had never heard of it unfortunately and I was left dumbstruck about it. However, she still discussed with me what the film was about and I was quite interested in watching it. Afterward, I searched it up on the internet and the story seemed interesting. Therefore, I placed the film title on my list of films to watch. I was not really in a rush to watch it.
Later again this year, I heard the film title again in my internship from my superior colleague as her favorite '80s film. My mind immediately recollected the storyline as if the storyline had been embedded in my brain. I was confused, for a person who never watched the film yet, I could still remember what the story was about, especially when I didn't put it as a high priority. It's as if the film was deep in my thoughts and was waiting for me to come back to it. From then on, after hearing the film's name two times and hearing both times as a favorite, I decided that I should watch it.
After watching it, I only regretted not watching it sooner. But the time that I watched it ended up being a perfect time. It was the middle of May and the beginning of my summer vacation from my junior year of college.
The film has never left me bored at all. From the beginning, it seems mysterious but then once I heard the energetic and humorous voice of the narrator in the film, I was very eager to continue watching the film. Other than the narrator, the quartet of boys is what really kept me entertained: Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. I am finally able to discuss them, but I will keep most details to a minimum, especially for those who have never watched it yet.
These boys embark on their adventure together which consists of them taking on the things that they have never faced before. For instance, they have to face the coming train, which is the most memorable scene for me from the film. In this scene, these boys run for their lives when the train chases them down the tracks. It was a near-death crisis for them. Vern, who was afraid to continue going on the tracks from the train, gets urged by Gordie to run for their lives while Chris and Teddy ran for theirs. Their reactions are priceless!
Other than this scene, what I also took from the film was that one should have friends early in their childhood. At their age, I remembered that I had a hard time making friends and just really focused on working hard for myself. But the film reminded me at that time that I should have close friends. To be honest, I was very envious of those boys with their friendship. These boys all experienced some tough matters but they still were able to laugh and smile out of it with each other. Their friendship is what really brings out the charm of the film. These boys are essential to the film and I think that they are the best to watch in the film. Moreover, the film has shown me that friends truly help you become the best version of yourself. Friends help support and back you up no matter what, especially from the scene when Teddy becomes furious at the man who calls his father a "loonie" and his friends, Chris, Gordie and Vern all stand up to the man for Teddy despite the direct insults.
Not only that, but friends also help encourage each other seek out real goals, which brings more knowledge about one's self. For example, I've always loved the part when Chris tells Gordie to make use of his talent for writing and along with Vern and Teddy, encourages Gordie to tell them a story that he made. This moment taught me to never be ashamed of talent that seems to be looked down on by others. It has been looked up by others who do not have it. Rare talents do not come by every day. I remembered that people will frown upon my passion for drawing. For that reason, I get embarrassed and nervous about mentioning it sometimes. I only wished that I had friends like them earlier in my childhood. This is what truly touched my heart from watching this film.
I also like that Gordie and his friends rather take the adventurous way instead of the ordinary safe, shortcut. What an interesting lifestyle.
To conclude, I encourage everyone to watch this film, even if you have never watched films from the 80s before, this is the perfect '80s film to start with.
