Stand by Me

Premise: Based on Steven King's novella, The Body, the film follows the journey of four boys in the summer before the seventh grade to locate the body of another dead boy. Also, a gang of older boys eventually decide that they want to be known for locating the body and head on out, too. Richard Dreyfuss does an excellent narration.

This movie is so good. I do question the strange number of life or death situations that these twelve year-olds seem to get into, but it is nothing too unbelievable about it. In fact, despite being a Steven King story, it is highly believable.

The story centres around Gordie Lechance, who is played by Wil Wheaton. He does a good enough job, but young River Phoenix outshines him as Gordie's troubled and troublesome best friend, Chris Chambers. It's great to watch scenes between him and the scene-stealing gang leader Ace, played by Kiefer Sutherland. Also, you can glean some pearls of heterosexual wisdom from Ace if you listen carefully.

Did I mention that this is all set in the fifties? I know that may not seem like much now, but it does a lot for the plot and the characterization.

Spoiler! I don't want to ruin to movie for you, but you will appreciate it much more when you realize exactly whose dead body Gordie is really looking for. I guess that that isn't that much of a spoiler.

Overall, the film is about exactly what childhood friendship is about. It is passionate and fiercely loyal. Dreyfuss strings it all together with his witty and soulful narration. You'll like it - it is too difficult not to.