Stand By Me tells the story of four young teenage boys about to start Jr. High School. It follows the boys lives in their last remaining days of summer as they go out to find the dead body of a boy close to their age who was killed by a train. Each boy is dealing with different trials in their life and yet they are all still able to come together as friends. Gordie LaChance (Wil Wheaton) is dealing with the recent death of his brother, Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) is constantly reminded that he comes from a bad family and will never amount to anything, Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldmen) is taunted by civilians about his insane father and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) is just trying to make it through the summer.
The bond between these boys on screen can only reflect the real life bond they must have felt for each other. The young actors display wide varieties of emotions that some more mature and experienced actors have yet to master. Through each child we are able to see clearly the tribulations that can haunt young adults. Every deep emotion is interspersed beautifully by playful childish antics throughout the film which parallels the real life maturing and growing process.
The film also includes a young Keifer Sutherland in one of his earliest roles. He plays the villian, Ace Merrill, a troubled young man trying to make a name for himself. He is followed by Eyeball Chambers (Chris's older brother and fellow trouble maker) and Billy and Charlie (other members of their teenage gang). This rival gang of older and meaner boys decides to go looking for this dead body as well and understand that in order to get to it first, they may have to cheat.
What starts out as innocent fun and a search for fame, turns into an emotional roller coaster as the young boys deal with their own demons on the way to seeing the body.
This movie, although enjoyable, poses some interesting questions about whether or not one should be excited to see the dead body of another human being. As the boys come closer to their destination, their true character comes out and they realize the reality of what finding this body means.
Upon finding the body at the climax of the film, they are met with the rival gang and have to prove their courage in the face of danger. Each boy meets head on with danger and show that they are all older than they may appear. The creepy undertone to this movie gives it a unique feeling that most other childhood movies lack. It also poses interesting and thought provoking questions throughout and is overall a highly enjoyable film.
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