Stand By Me

Denton's presentation was all about coming-of-age movies, and made me think of one of my favorite films, Stand By Me, which I consider to possibly be one of the greatest coming-of-age stories. I'm not sure where it stands in terms of popularity; some people have heard of it, others have no idea what movie I'm talking about. Regardless, It's the story of four young boys who go on an adventure to find the body of another boy who had recently gone missing. The story is told as a long flashback  sparked by the narrator's witnessing of a murder as an adult, and him recalling the first time he ever saw a dead body.

Yes, the kid all the way on the right is the kid from
The Goonies and The Lost Boys.

The screenplay is based on the Stephen King novella, The Body, and contains elements from King's childhood. I believe this is one of the greatest coming-of-age stories, because although it doesn't touch on drugs or sex, it heavily touches on grief, misery, hopelessness, and loss of innocence. Each boy has experienced loss, or unfair grief, and is currently struggling with crossing the thin line separating childhood from adulthood. Innocence is a heavy theme in the film, and the boys are portrayed often trying to continue their carefree boyhoods, but also recognizing that they will soon have to grow up. The journey is the final step of their innocence.

Besides the very mature themes of the film, it is also quite funny. Stephen King has long been one of my favorite authors, not only because he writes excellent stories, but because he also has a very dark sense of humor. The film portrays that wicked humor, and I would even go as far to also consider this film to be a dark comedy.

I recommend it to those who are either fans of King's work, or are heavily interested in stories that examine loss of innocence and the passage from childhood to adulthood. This is one that is certainly going to leave you feeling contemplative and reflective on your own personal coming-of-age story.

- R.