Stand by Me
Stand by Me is a 1986 American coming-of-age film directed by Rob Reiner. It is based on Stephen King's novella The Body. The title of the film derives from the song "Stand by Me," by Ben E. King. This article will discuss the novella and film as well as the framing device used in the story.
Rob Reiner's 1986 film
Stand by Me is a classic coming-of-age film that celebrates the importance of friendship in our lives. Based on a Stephen King novella, the movie explores the transition from naivete to adulthood. The film stars Wil Wheaton as titular narrator Gordie LaChance, and features Richard Dreyfuss as his older counterpart, Gordon. The cast also includes River Phoenix as Christopher Chambers, Kierland as Ace Merrill, and Jerry O'Connell as Vern Tessio.
Stephen King's novella
Stephen King's novella Stand by Me is based on a story called "The Body," which was first published in 1982 in the collection Different Seasons. While the plot summary of the book suggests that we're in for a horror story, this tale is far from it. Instead of the usual gothic twists and turns, King uses the story's themes to explore the fragility of childhood innocence.
Characters
The characters in Stand by Me have a variety of traits. While their looks are largely similar to the characters from other movies, there are a few notable differences. For example, most of the characters don't have jittery right eyes or '50s greaser haircuts.
Framing device
A Framing Device is a device that signals to the audience a story's core themes and setup. For example, a soldier recounting a war is a story about war, while a person recalling the greatest love of their life is a story about romance. The framing device also signals the tone and core themes of the story.
Characters' relationships with one another
Characters' relationships with one another reveal what they are made of. For example, the protagonist, who tries to save the world, is opposed by an antagonist. This antagonist can be another character, a society, or nature. The antagonists often present opposing values, and are sometimes the protagonist's internal conflicts.
Reactions to the film
"Stand by Me" is a film about four pre-teen boys who are about to enter junior high. The boys are apprehensive about the upcoming transition into adulthood and the looming specter of a missing kid. But the narrator, Vern, manages to get the boys to think differently by revealing that the missing child was actually a brother of his.
