‘Stand by Me’: A youthful film that never ages

“Stand By Me” is based on the short story “The Body” by Stephen King. It was the third film of director Rob Reiner (“A Few Good Men”) and was filmed in beautiful Oregon forests. The film was and is the most celebrated piece of child ensemble acting to date. “Stand by Me” starred child actors ages 11 to 16 that brought a level of acting that many adult actors can’t pull off. The movie is about four boys who take a life-changing journey to find the body of a dead boy their age. The imagery in this film is brilliant courtesy of cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth (“The Breakfast Club”).

Just over 19 years ago (at age 23) we lost River Phoenix. Phoenix died of a lethal dose of cocaine, heroin, speed, alcohol and valium in Hollywood, Calif., with his brother Joaquin Phoenix (“Walk the Line”) at his side, outside the Viper Room on the famed Sunset Strip. It was a crushing blow to Hollywood. By age 22 he had worked with Sidney Poitier, Harrison Ford, Robert Redford and famed film directors Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, Peter Weir, Gus Van Sant and Peter Bogdanovich.

Phoenix remains one of the youngest male actors to receive Oscar nomination. There is no doubting he was the James Dean of my generation, and if he was alive he’d be in his early 40s (when many actors finally show their talent). It is rumored River Phoenix was going to retire from the film business. He was a earth-rights activist, a vegan and did not enjoy people treating him like a celebrity. He was a humble soul who was in touch with reality and died as he was preparing to work on “Interview with the Vampire.”

Phoenix was said to be an “old soul” by the film’s director Rob Reiner (“Misery”). In “Stand By Me” he gave us a nuanced performance of a 30-year-old man who has come of age. He had a genuine heart, mind and love that showed in every frame of film for which he appeared. He is a true friend to the other boys, the kind of friend we discover in our darkest times as we enter our 30’s. River got “it.” He could portray the thread of humanity that some of us never grasp.

In many films a child actor will have their lines read to them before cameras roll. Phoenix never had his lines fed to him and the editor didn’t shape his performance.

I was introduced (like almost everyone) to River Phoenix through “Stand By Me” when I was 10 years old. Since the movie is about young boys, I instantly related.

His work changed movies and so did his death. River was a blessing to art-form that is film. This film grows one me as I get older. It is notable there were also fantastic performances by Kiefer Sutherland  and troubled 80s star Corey Feldman (“The Lost Boys”).