I was twelve when I first experienced the classic film Stand By Me, huddled in front of the TV with my best friend, captivated by the boys’ journey and, let’s be honest, River Phoenix’s charm. The movie was a mix of drama, angst, and heartfelt moments, not to mention the unforgettable barf scene that had us all laughing. Fast forward 30 years—yes, it really has been that long!—to the other night when I watched it again, this time with my son. I found myself wearing a constant “What on earth?!” expression. All I could think about was: where in the world were those kids’ parents?
Sure, I can cut Gordie’s parents some slack; they were deep in grief after losing Denny, so I get that their parenting skills might have taken a backseat. And Chris and Teddy’s dads? Well, let’s just say they were a bit off the rails. But come on, Vern seemed to have a stable home life. At the very least, where was Mrs. Tessio when Vern dashed out the door? Couldn’t she have packed some sandwiches for the gang?
And what about the other adults in Castle Rock? The shopkeepers, the townsfolk? In nearly every scene, except for a few flashbacks and an irate junkyard owner, it felt like the town was run like Lord of the Flies, with Ace Merrill as the self-appointed sheriff.
Let’s break it down:
A Camping Trip with Pocket Change
In today’s world of helicopter parenting, four twelve-year-olds wandering the woods with just nine cents for food would have everyone calling Child Protective Services. Did no one in Castle Rock notice these boys, their backpacks, and their determination? Ray Brower was missing and presumed dead, and yet the parents seemed unconcerned that their kids were out of sight. What happened, Mr. and Mrs. Tessio?
Mailbox Mayhem
As a preteen, I found Ace’s disregard for rules thrilling. That scene with him playing chicken with a truck? Pure adrenaline! But now, as a responsible adult, I realize how much a new mailbox costs at Home Depot. Poor Castle Rock’s mailman must have been having a rough time with those kids vandalizing mailboxes. Someone should have called the police!
Bullying Everywhere
The film is riddled with scenes of boys beating each other up. The town seemed to be under siege by a gang of teenage bullies led by Ace, with no adult stepping in to help poor Chris when he was knocked down. Where were the responsible adults? It’s as if they were all hiding away while Ace and his friends took over.
Risky Business
Watching as an adult, I couldn’t help but notice how reckless these kids were. Ace and his crew were carving tattoos with unsterilized razors, Gordie and his friends nearly bled out from leeches, and Ace was brandishing a switchblade like it was a toy. Not to mention the gun incident—seriously, Castle Rock adults, you dropped the ball on keeping these kids safe. And don’t even get me started on Chopper!
As a twelve-year-old, I used to wonder if I’d ever have such wild stories to tell when I grew up. Would my best friend and I drift apart like Gordie and Chris? Would I ever have the courage to sneak off on an adventure without telling my parents? And yes, I had a crush on Wil Wheaton.
Now, reminiscing about those carefree days, I wish I could enjoy that youthful perspective again instead of viewing everything through the lens of a parent trying to enforce rules. I miss the friendships of my youth—does anyone have that kind of bond anymore? (See what I did there?)
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In summary, Stand By Me gives us a nostalgic look at childhood adventures but also raises questions about parental oversight and community involvement. Just remember, a little supervision goes a long way!