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STAND BY ME (1986) REVIEW

Friendships we have and have had define an important part of our personalities. Especially as youngsters, we tend to believe that the friends we have won’t change forever. However, as we grow up we understand that nothing lasts forever, time flies, people change, and friends drift apart. Despite that, we never truly forget the beautiful bonds we once had. Today’s movie offers a profound look into friendships.


Stand By Me is a drama movie based on the novel by Stephen King and directed by Robert Reiner, starring Will Wheaton and River Phoenix. It tells the story of an author recounting a childhood journey he had with his friends to find the body of a missing boy.



To begin with, I can say that the film’s story is interesting. Four boys go on a journey to find the body of a missing kid, who is rumored to be dead. Throughout their journey, they learn much about themselves and each other, experiencing hardships in their relations and strengthening their close bonds. Unfortunately for them, their bullies are also on their way to the same place so that they can be famous by finding the dead body of that missing boy.



Additionally, the storytelling is equally great. The story is told mostly from the boys’ perspective and partially from other people’s. The boys’ personalities feel authentic and natural. For the most part, their thoughts, opinions, emotions, and actions don’t feel forced at all, instead, they feel like actual human beings in real life, which makes the audience relate to the main characters even more and have deeper connections to them. Undoubtedly, the actors’ excellent performances also contribute greatly to the depth of all characters. They certainly bring out the screenplay’s true potential.



Furthermore, the movie has lovely cinematography and a superb soundtrack. Firstly, the cinematography consists of scenic nature views and delightful country shots, which make the audience feel like they’re in the film. Secondly, the soundtrack is fantastic with its nostalgic songs that are both catchy and emotional, and also with its atmospheric musical pieces.



In the end, I think Stand By Me is an incredible movie with an intriguing story, powerful storytelling, relatable characters, gorgeous cinematography, and a wondrous soundtrack album. It shows us the importance and the effect of a beautiful friendship in an unforgettable way. Moreover, I can say that it also gives us crucial lessons about life and relationships by conveying them through a captivating story. It’s a marvelous film and one of my top recommendations.


RATING: 9.5/10

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