STARRING: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard Drefyus and John Cusack. Screenplay by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans. Based on the Stephen King novella The Body. Budget $8 million. Box office $52 million. Running time 89 minutes. Originally released in 1986.
Set in 1959, this coming-of-age drama, sees four friends on the cusp of secondary school, set off on a quest to find the dead body of a missing boy reportedly lying along a stretch of railway track. The four friends, Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Chris (River Phoenix), Teddy (Corey Feldman) and Vern (Jerry O'Connell) set off one morning with just $1.69 in their pockets, a couple of canteens of water and some bedrolls slung over their shoulders and stroll off along the railway track, singing, bickering, fighting, falling-out, reconciling and doing battle with not one but two trains. Along the way we learn about their lives, their dreams, aspirations and the sorrow in their souls, and all the time the town psycho, uber-bully and knife-wielding gang-leader Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland) dogs their progress threatening violence. This is a bitter-sweet quest as if the four friends know that the spectre of change hangs over their young lives and that this final summer outing before 'big school' will be their last as friends.
Directed by Rob Reiner with care, consideration and restraint he avoids making this a wacky Goonies style adventure instead focusing on the power of raw emotions on young minds. This is a tight film running to a brisk 89 minutes but never feels hurried or rushed. Interspersed with a legendary story about a pie-eating contest, a battle with leeches, and the genuinely poignant discovery of the dead body of the boy which triggers emotions in both Gordie as he remembers the funeral of his much loved brother Denny (John Cusack)when his father turns to him and says, "It should have been you." and I found myself thinking about my sister and found myself missing her as much as Gordie misses his brother. It made the scene immensely moving.
The most powerful thing you take away from this, or at least I took away from it, was just how astonishingly good River Phoenix was as an actor, by god that boy could act! He brings a level of believability to the role that staggers belief. And of the four child actors he is the best by a country mile. In direct contrast to Corey Feldman who acts with all the subtly and charm of a brick thrown through a plate glass window. Wil Wheaton also performs very well and gives the film its emotional core. Sadly, Jerry O'Connell has the thankless role of token 'fat boy' and has to weather the almost endless abuse hurled at him by all and sundry.
The most powerful thing you take away from this, or at least I took away from it, was just how astonishingly good River Phoenix was as an actor, by god that boy could act! He brings a level of believability to the role that staggers belief. And of the four child actors he is the best by a country mile. In direct contrast to Corey Feldman who acts with all the subtly and charm of a brick thrown through a plate glass window. Wil Wheaton also performs very well and gives the film its emotional core. Sadly, Jerry O'Connell has the thankless role of token 'fat boy' and has to weather the almost endless abuse hurled at him by all and sundry.
A moving, joyful and beautifully produced film that will never age. 30 years old and still going strong. Catch it if you can.
9/10
9/10
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