Stand By Me Personal Response Jonah Brown
Hello, I’m Jonah, and like almost all of us, I often find myself thinking about the friendships I had when I was a kid. The easy, innocent and magical relationships I made through school or sport where ones that I believe to have impacted the person I am today, despite me not maintaining ALL of those friendships. Earlier this year, my year 10 English Class watched the 1962 film ‘Stand By Me’ by Rob Reiner which followed the journey of four 12 year old boys on the search for a dead body. One of the overarching themes of this film was how the friendship the four boys had helped support each other in both the literal journey to find the body, but also the figurative journey and coming of age that the boys are gong through. The exploration of themes like dealing with grief shown in Gordie and family dynamics shown through Chris cleverly show how the friendships we have a children affect the people we become, such as establishing self worth or dealing with unfair family expectations.
Childhood friendships play a crucial role in shaping self-worth, which was shown through Gordie. Growing up, Gordie grapples with feelings of inadequacy, especially in the shadow of his recently dead brother Denny. However, his friendships with Teddy, Vern and especially Chris provide him with a sense of belonging and validation. Throughout the film, the mention of Gordie’s writing is often followed by the disapproval of his parents who had become disconnected since Denny’s death, with Gordie becoming “the invisible boy” even in his own house. Chris particularly, takes it upon himself to rid Gordie’s mind of the idea his parents had given him that “it should have been [him]” when Gordie breaks down after finding Ray’s body. Gordie’s Breakdown Scene. 
In this particular scene, there is no non-diegetic sound which highlights the sensitivity of the moment Chris and Gordie share, along with the close shot containing solely the two boys highlighting that Chris was the only person Gordie trusted enough to do this with. This scene also serves as Gordie’s big moment of vulnerability in the film with his struggles being touched on previously but not fully acknowledged or explored. This was a big turning point for Chris and Gordie’s friendship also, as Chris had previously broken down to Gordie the night before, and this signified an establishment of a deeper friendship between the two, a friendship that older Gordie claims he never had again in his whole life.
As teens especially, it is safe to say we’ve all experienced the pressure of expectations from friends and especially family, though for most of us, this is usually pressure to meet high expectations. Chris’s character nicely contrasts this and represents a less talked about experience of feeling trapped in the perceived image of your family. Chris confides in Gordie, explaining that he wants to “go to a place where nobody knows him” as to escape the less than ideal image the small town of castle rock had created of his family, with both of his parents struggling with alcohol use and crime along with his older brother being a part of a gang. This constant negative perception of what Chris would do in life evidently causes him to become very self-doubtful, stating to Gordie he was going to take the “dumber” classes in high school. Thankfully Gordie sees this as a chance to dismiss those preconceived notions that Chris would be as worthless as his family and encourages him to take college classes with him; similar to how Chris had encouraged Gordie earlier in the film. The lighting in this scene between Chris and Gordie allows for Chris’ face to be highlighted, it also amplifies the 
tears in his eyes showing a moment of vulnerability, contrasting his confident and hard attitude throughout most of the film. This moment shows the great emotional intelligence both Chris and Gordie have, and how their friendship makes it easier to share these deeper aspects of their lives, and becomes clear later in the film that Gordie’s repeated reminders that Chris could “go anywhere he wants” worked as Chris goes onto become a lawyer and get out of Castle Rock for good; something that wasn’t much of a possibility for Chris before he confided in Gordie.
Text Reflections
Text-to-Self:
Stand By Me beautifully captures the essence of childhood friendships and their lasting impact on our lives. As I reflect on the film, I’m reminded of my own close friendships from that age – the shared adventures, inside jokes, and support we provided each other. Like Gordie and Chris, my childhood friends and I faced challenges together, whether it was dealing with family issues or confronting our own insecurities, especially when coming to terms with my sexuality. Those bonds felt unbreakable at the time, as if we’d always be that close. Yet, as the film’s ending reminds us, childhood friendships often fade as we grow older and our lives take different paths. The bittersweet nostalgia I feel watching Stand By Me mirrors my own experiences of losing touch with once inseparable friends. Still, the movie reinforces how those early friendships shape us in profound ways, teaching us about loyalty, vulnerability, and standing up for each other. Even if we’re no longer in contact, the memories and lessons from those formative friendships continue to influence.
Text-to-Text:
“Stand By Me”, like many films such as “The perks of being a Wallflower” shows the significance of true friendship in such a beautiful way. The film’s portrayal of the bond between Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern resonates with the intense connections formed during youth, when friends often feel like family. Like the characters in movies like “The Goonies” or “IT,” these boys embark on an adventure that strengthens their friendship while also foreshadowing its eventual fading. The bittersweet nostalgia expressed in the film’s final narration, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve,” mirrors sentiments found in “I.T.”, with the sequel showing how them coming back together as adults was what they ultimately needed. This reflection on the uniqueness of childhood friendships is very common in both books and film, highlighting how these early bonds shape us and often remain unmatched in their intensity and purity. The journey of self-discovery undertaken by the boys in “Stand By Me” compliments similar coming-of-age narratives, emphasizing how friendships during formative years play a crucial role in personal growth and identity formation.
Text-to-World:
“Stand By Me” offers a profound reflection on childhood friendships that resonates with real-world experiences and societal observations. The film’s portrayal of the intense bonds formed during youth mirrors the psychological and sociological understanding of adolescent and childhood relationships. In today’s world, where digital connections often replace face-to-face interactions, the film serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable value of genuine, physical friendships. The challenges faced by the characters, particularly Chris’s struggle with societal expectations due to his family background, echo ongoing issues of stereotyping in many communities. This aspect of the film connects to broader discussions about equality of opportunity and the impact of socioeconomic factors on youth development (education, jobs etc). Furthermore, the film’s exploration of loss, both in terms of innocence when the boys found the body and the fading of childhood friendships, reflects a universal experience that transcends generations. In our rapidly changing world, where globalization and technology have transformed how we maintain relationships, “Stand By Me” prompts reflection on how we nurture and preserve meaningful connections. 
The story also touches on themes of resilience and support systems, which are crucial in addressing modern challenges like mental health issues among youth. It underscores the importance of peer support and healthy friendships in navigating the complexities of growing up, a message that remains relevant in today’s discussions about adolescent well-being and social-emotional learning in schools.
Thank you so much for reading my blog! I hope this served as a way for you to also reflect on your childhood friendships and relate them back to the beautiful film that is “Stand By Me”.
Jonah Brown