STAND BY ME Film History and Genre Study

STAND BY ME Film History and Genre Study

STAND BY ME

(1986)

Director: Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap, The Sure Thing When Harry Met Sally, North, Misery. A Few Good Men; others)

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Genre: Drama (Coming of Age)

Cast:

Wil Wheaton (Gordie LaChance)

River Phoenix (Chris Chambers)

Corey Feldman (Teddy Duchamp)Jerry OConnell (Vern Tessio)

Richard Dreyfuss (The Writer)

Keifer Sutherland (Ace Merrill)

John Cussak (Denny)

Bradley Gregg (Eyeball Chambers)

Corey Siemaszko (Billy Tessio)

Nominated Academy Best Screenplay (adapted from Stephen Kings novella The Body)

Coming of age film set in the 1950s. While the 1980s cinema seemed to be a breeding ground for coming of age films (John Hughes films appearing the most) most of those teen-angst ridden films stories were rooted in contemporary settings and appealing to pop culture of the day.

Stand By Me stands apart not only because of the time period in which the story is played out but because, unlike so many of its 80s coming of age films, it stands the test of time and remains undated.It is a film whose story is driven by character. With attention to period detail, truthfully drawn relationships of the young protagonists, engaging performances and clear, clean direction, Stand By Me remains a resonating and affecting film. (IRHO)