Film review: Stand by Me

L-R: Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. Stand by Me poster image. Folder Icon by GalahadArtwork used under the Creative Commons BY 3.0 license

Nataliya Tichoniuk explores the nostalgia of friendship and the complexities of growing up

Directed by Rob Reiner, Stand by Me (1986) tells the story of four boys: Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern, and their unforgettable friendship. Each character is unique with individual quirks that are relatable and reminiscent of universal childhood experiences. Together, they embark on a journey to locate the body of a missing boy, hoping to get recognition by making it into the local newspaper.

The film takes place in a fictional town in Oregon over a long, hot summer holiday between elementary and middle school. The setting plays a key role in Reiner’s nostalgic tone, drawing the audience in by evoking a wistful sense of childhood, like a distant summer day we might remember from our past.

Reiner contrasts the wild, expansive natural landscape with the banal life of the town, emphasising the boys’ innocent excitement upon discovering the dead body. Rather than seeing it as a tragic loss, they view it as part of the adventure. This reflects how the boys are on the edge of growing up, exposed to life’s harsh realities but still unable to fully grasp their significance.

Each of the four protagonists portrays distinct characteristics and backgrounds, highlighting their shared experience of losing the naivety and shelter of youth. Though they often clash, bickering and insulting one another, their bond grows stronger through shared struggles, mutual support, and their common goal.

Teddy’s actions reflect a teenage need to appear older and shed childhood innocence

We have Teddy, a classic loud and impulsive character. He instigates key events in the film, such as a dangerous railway bridge crossing. Instead of taking a longer route to ensure the boys’ safety, he persuades them to run across the bridge with careless abandon. Teddy’s reckless behaviour on the tracks can be seen as a cry for help or a suicide attempt. As the group scrambles to avoid being hit by an oncoming train, his unstable nature becomes undeniable. Teddy’s actions reflect the typical adolescent urge to appear older than he is, desperately trying to shed the innocence of childhood.

Teddy’s impulsive bravado masks his vulnerability. Although he strives to appear mature, particularly through his aspiration to join the army, he knows little about life. Reiner presents this through Teddy’s emotional complexity and his childlike hopes. Despite Teddy’s adverse experiences, including the physical abuse from his father, which leaves him unable to enlist, he holds onto hope. His character captures the fading innocence of youth, as the reality of adulthood slowly diminishes the hopes we carry as we grow up.

Vern’s character is a depiction of childhood innocence, his primary worry being his older brother bullying him. This dynamic evokes a shared nostalgia, as sibling rivalry is a common experience. Though Vern is the most immature of the group, his presence adds a crucial layer to the film’s reflective mood, embodying the simpler, carefree aspects of childhood. His fear and vulnerability throughout the journey convey the emotional honesty of childhood, reminding the audience that even in the face of fear, children can still show unwavering loyalty and friendship.

Chris is deeply sensitive and often acts as the peacemaker among his friends

Chris plays an integral part in the film representing a painful coming of age experience. His story is perhaps the saddest, as his father is an alcoholic, and the family struggles for enough money. Everyone around Chris is quick to judge, expecting him to follow in his father’s tragic footsteps.

Chris is deeply sensitive and often acts as the peacemaker among his friends. Though not fitting the typical ‘tough’ stereotype of young boys, he reflects the sensitivity many children have, a sensitivity that often fades as they grow older. His constant worry about the future, instead of focusing on his difficult present, mirrors the overwhelming feelings many of us experience when transitioning into adulthood.

Gordie is our main character, with a talent for telling stories that often bring comic relief and lightness, something that permeates most childhoods, whether through bedtime stories or writing them in school. However, Gordie’s ‘golden boy’ brother, Denny, was killed, leaving him with feelings of inadequacy instead of grief. He feels the pressure to live up to Denny’s legacy. This marks the loss of Gordie’s childhood. He avoids writing down his stories, symbolising both his struggle to grow up and his need to preserve his childhood identity.

Gordie: I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12

The boys’ divergent storylines in the film, Stand by Me, reflect their individual paths out of childhood, evoking a sense of drifting innocence. Their friendships tap into our core memories, which are central to its nostalgic impact. Built on shared experiences, these are the kind of friendships that Gordie refers to as unique to childhood and unforgettable.

At the heart of the film are the powerful friendships that echo our own experiences of growing up. The closing voiceover, where Gordie reflects, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus, does anyone?” invites us to reflect on our own lives. As adults, it’s often hard to find time for friends, let alone spend every day with them like we did in school. While adult friendships can be strong, childhood friendships are truly different.

The boys’ journey wasn’t just a trek to stardom; it was about growing up. What began as a mission to find a missing boy becomes something more meaningful. Along the way, they confront bullies and their own insecurities, and by the end, they’re stronger, better equipped to face what lies ahead.

The film ends with Gordie’s voice-over reflecting on the boys’ later adult lives. Gordie’s belief in Chris, shared throughout their friendship, helped him overcome his fears and defy expectations. One of the film’s most powerful messages, told through the boy’s story shows us the value of childhood friendship, and the impact it has on building us as people.

Check out the trailer ↓

You can find out more about Rob Reiner’s work here