“Stand by Me” is such a perfect film for adolescent boys and movie-watching families, it was a shame it was slapped with the dreaded R rating.
The glorious, almost-perfect Rob Reiner movie about four boys trekking through rural Oregon is a superb example of how badly the ratings system can serve the art of film. “Stand by Me” qualified for its R on profanity alone, the kind of experimental, don’t-really-mean-it swearing that all teenage boys are doing behind their parents’ backs. Throw in just a few F-bombs and you get the R, instead of a PG-13 that would allow packs of ‘tweeners to see this poignant coming-of-age film on their own.
The 1986 story follows reserved Gordie (Will Wheaton), crazy-brave Teddy (Corey Feldman), scared Vern (Jerry O’Connell) and leader Chris (River Phoenix) as they search for a rumored dead body miles from their troubled homes. Their mini-odyssey – based on a Stephen King novella – is beset by menacing junkyard owners, abusive bullies, swamps filled with leeches, and the most memorable scene, when the boys have to outrun a train over a picturesque trestle.
Their struggle to confront death mirrors the tragedies in their own lives, including Gordie’s loss of a beloved older brother, and Chris’ hatred of his parents. The boys’ bond, narrated by Richard Dreyfuss, feels real without coming across as trite, largely because the child actors are so good.
Ignore the profanity. Your kids already know these words. Enjoy with them a great family movie, nominated for best screenplay.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com.
