Stand by Me Review
A likable film punctuated by standout performances, Stand by Me is an interesting variation on the standard coming-of-age period film. Based on a short story by Stephen_King, Stand by Me deals with preteen concerns instead of teen ones. Director Rob_Reiner successfully keeps the nostalgia and sentimentality in check; and he places a remarkable amount of faith in his young cast. Of the four leads, River_Phoenix and Wil_Wheaton deliver sensitive, complex performances which belie their age. Jerry O'Connell and teen heartthrob Corey_Feldman round out the cast, and Kiefer_Sutherland and John_Cusack appear in small but memorable roles. For Reiner, the film was a significant shift in tone after the comedies This_Is_Spinal_Tap (1984) and The_Sure_Thing (1985). It marked his first attempt at more serious fare; his success with the comedy drama of Stand by Me would pave the way for his later hits, When_Harry_Met_Sally (1989) and Misery (1990). Brendon Hanley, Rovi
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