Taken from the collection of Short Stories , entitled "Different Seasons",by Stephen King, Stand by Me, or the Body, as is the name of the Novella, is a remarkable story of youth and the problems and fun a childhood holds. Director Rob Reiner has taken this story and adapted it remarkably well. Stephen King's writings do not always translate well to film, one only has to look at some of the horror novels which have become films for proof of this. It seems that King's drama lends itself to film far better than horror. If you want further proof of this, see the Shawshank Redemption, which came from the same collection.
The Film stars Wil Wheaton, the late River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell, with Kiefer Sutherland and Richard Dreyfuss co starring. Set in the 1950's in Castle Rock (where most Stephen King stories seem to be set) the film is probably one of the finest Coming of Age drama's ever made. With Wheaton playing sensitive Gordie LaChance, supported by River Phoenix, in a mature and remarkably self assured performance, this film has set a standard for this genre of films.
Four boys set of in search of a corpse, and we follow their journey, their arguments, fears and frustration, as they travel in search of the body of Ray Brower, a teenager who was killed by a train earlier that year. Smoking and swearing as all good young men do, their journey is an eventful one, although maintains a good sense of balance. Wheaton and Phoenix by far and away outshine the rest of the cast, although this is not to say that their performances are weak.
Perhaps the main criticism of the film is the amount of swearing, somewhat anachronistic for the time the film is set, although this is a minor quibble.
Narrated by Richard Dreyfuss (an elder version of Gordie) the film comes together well, and holds its own as being one of the highest quality coming of age dramas ever made.
A fine musical score acompanies the film, and the direction is faultless.
The Film stars Wil Wheaton, the late River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell, with Kiefer Sutherland and Richard Dreyfuss co starring. Set in the 1950's in Castle Rock (where most Stephen King stories seem to be set) the film is probably one of the finest Coming of Age drama's ever made. With Wheaton playing sensitive Gordie LaChance, supported by River Phoenix, in a mature and remarkably self assured performance, this film has set a standard for this genre of films.
Four boys set of in search of a corpse, and we follow their journey, their arguments, fears and frustration, as they travel in search of the body of Ray Brower, a teenager who was killed by a train earlier that year. Smoking and swearing as all good young men do, their journey is an eventful one, although maintains a good sense of balance. Wheaton and Phoenix by far and away outshine the rest of the cast, although this is not to say that their performances are weak.
Perhaps the main criticism of the film is the amount of swearing, somewhat anachronistic for the time the film is set, although this is a minor quibble.
Narrated by Richard Dreyfuss (an elder version of Gordie) the film comes together well, and holds its own as being one of the highest quality coming of age dramas ever made.
A fine musical score acompanies the film, and the direction is faultless.