I first encountered Stand By Me at the age of 12, watching it on VHS with my closest friend. The boys in the film seemed to have it all figured out. They grasped the complexities of life, and let’s be honest—River Phoenix was undeniably charming. The narrative was filled with drama, angst, and warmth, and who could forget that iconic barfing scene? It was a classic for the Generation X crowd.
Fast forward three decades (has it really been that long?) to a recent viewing with my son. I found myself watching the film with a constant look of disbelief, asking, “Where on Earth are the parents of these kids?”
I can excuse Gordie’s parents, who were consumed by grief after losing Denny, understandably too distraught to parent effectively beyond providing basic meals. Chris and Teddy’s fathers were, let’s say, less than stable. However, Vern seemed to come from a relatively normal household. At the very least, where was Mrs. Tessio when Vern dashed out the door? Why didn’t she at least pack some sandwiches for the boys?
Speaking of grown-ups, where were the adults in that town? The shopkeepers? The general public? Aside from a few flashbacks and one furious junkyard owner, it felt like the entire town was being governed in a Lord of the Flies-esque manner with Ace Merrill acting as the local law.
Let’s break it down:
A Two-Day Adventure with Just $0.09 for Food
In today’s world of overprotective parenting, four 12-year-olds wandering in the woods with less than a quarter would not only raise eyebrows but likely trigger a call to Child Protective Services. Did no one in Castle Rock notice these boys, their backpacks, and their determination? Ray Brower was missing and presumed dead, yet it seemed no parents were concerned that their kids weren’t safely tucked in bed. Come on, Mr. and Mrs. Tessio.
Mailbox Baseball, Seriously?
As a preteen, I found Ace’s rebellious antics somewhat thrilling, particularly when he played chicken with a truck. However, as an adult who knows how much a mailbox costs at Home Depot, I now feel sympathy for Castle Rock’s mailman and the residents who never received their packages. Someone should have reported those troublemakers!
Bullying as a Norm
Almost every scene in Stand By Me features a bully pummeling another boy. The town appears to be under siege from a gang of teens determined to intimidate the younger kids. When Ace knocks Chris to the ground, not a single adult intervenes. It’s as if the adults of Castle Rock were locked away while Ace and his gang enforced their own brand of justice.
Dangerous Choices: Tattoos, Leeches, and Guns
Watching as an adult, I was struck by the fact that these kids seemed to have a death wish. Ace and his friends carved tattoos into their arms with unsterilized razors, Gordie and his pals risked serious health issues from leeches, and Ace wielded a switchblade. Plus, there was that gun incident. Sure, I support a good showdown with a bully, but seriously, Castle Rock adults, you failed these children in your community. We won’t even mention Chopper.
As a 12-year-old, I wondered if I’d create my own crazy stories one day. Would my best friend and I drift apart like Gordie and Chris? Would I ever be daring enough to embark on secret adventures without my parents knowing? Mostly, I wished I could date Wil Wheaton.
Now, as an adult with my own wild college memories and a few undisclosed escapades, I yearn for the days when I could watch a film through the lens of nostalgia rather than parental concern. I still wish I could date Wil Wheaton, but more importantly, I realize how rare it is to have friendships like I did at 12.
Does anyone still have that kind of bond?
This article was originally published on March 10, 2005.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the absence of responsible parenting in the film Stand By Me, highlighting the lack of adult supervision and guidance for the young characters as they embark on their adventures. The writer reminisces about watching the film as a child, contrasting it with the perspective of a parent today, questioning the neglectful adult figures in the story while pondering the lasting impact of childhood friendships.