Stand By Me is one of the greatest coming of age films ever made, complete with great performances from River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton, before he became a punchline in The Big Bang Theory. It tells the story of four boys who trek across the countryside to find a dead body as a group of older bullies attempt to beat them to it. Gordie (Wheaton) has always been in the shadow of his dead brother, who was a sports star. The boys gradually grow in confidence during their journey as the troubles of their mission bring them closer together. Their coming of age manifests perfectly in the film's climax, in which they find the body they have been searching for, but are intercepted by bully Ace (future 24 star Kiefer Sutherland) and his gang of thugs. Unwilling to let their trip count for nothing, Gordie defiantly points a pistol at Ace and forces them to leave. It's the perfect ending to Gordie's story, as he overcomes his shyness and steps out of his brother's shadow. The bullies that wreaked havoc throughout the movie are forced to back down and not a drop of blood needs to be spilled. Wil Wheaton really knows how to kick some ass.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
