“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”
Boys stories resonate with me so much more than girls stories. As a child, I used to think that boys had so much more fun than girls, and that they had so many more interesting things to talk about (honestly, I still do). I myself was a bit of a tomboy, would spend my holidays in the countryside, at the farm and in the surroundings, sometimes partaking in wonderful adventures, other times just imagining them, fueled by the books I was reading. So there are plenty of reasons why I would relate to the story in Stand By Me
Okay now, there is one more reason to like the movie: River Phoenix stars in it, an actor I would have loved to see evolve and mark the films of our times as he did in those few he got to make. At 15, he was a revelation in his role as Chris Chambers. And I have just realised that it was in terms of style, too, that he was already making a powerful statement. Blue jeans, white t-shirt and Converse. The blue jeans and t-shirt may have been a wardrobe staple in the 1950’s (when the plot is placed), when dressing down became the new revolution thanks to the likes of James Dean, and the entire look can also be viewed as announcing River’s future as style role model, but it has one other great merit: it’s the childhood uniform for many, chosen solely on the account of its practicality. Another lesson to serve you a lifetime.
photo credit: Columbia Pictures
My high school years were spent dreaming of River Phoenix and this movie was a firm favourite of mine and my best friend. We watched it over and over on our VCR and knew every word of it by heart! They don’t make movies like this anymore. I am always left feeling just that bit lost after we learn how River’s character Chris Chambers makes something of himself only to sadly be killed in a random act of violence. One can only draw comparisons to River’s death at such a young age. I must share this movie with my children now, thanks for the memories!
I usually think of classic films when I say that they don’t make movies like they used to. But this one can be considered a classic in its own right. There are not many films nowadays that you can share with your children, and there is much to lose because of that.
So very true. There is a reason why the word classic is made from class. Class is what most movies they make these days lack.
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