stand by me

Well, both films can be considered part of the "coming of age" genre, and they both involved the central characters embarking on quests, but I believe it's there that the similarities end. I hope that answers your question, but feel free to read on because I wish to warn you that if you are expecting a STAND BY ME experience from STOLEN SUMMER, you may be disappointed.

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STAND BY ME, the far superior film, allowed us to immediately invest in the characters and their plight. The boys want to find the teenager's dead body "to get famous," but then we learn there's something more to the quest in Gordie's mind. Gordie, at the fragile point between childhood and adolescence, needs to view the body because of his angst regarding his own dead brother. The quest is extremely meaningful because of how relevant it is to Gordie's character and his life.

What I liked most about STAND BY ME was the heart and care that went into the creations and performances of the boys. They are real people with whom we identify.

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Then we have the treacly STOLEN SUMMER. Supremely precocious and annoying Pete embarks on a quest to convert Jewish people into Catholicism (because he thinks it will make up for his being a smart-a** in his Catholic elementary school classroom the previous year). Then, after meeting Jewish boy Danny, it becomes a quest to get Danny into heaven before he dies of cancer (can you taste the syrup yet?). We never really empathize with Pete's plight because I didn't buy the "strength" of the boys' friendship. I would have bought it more if Pete had vowed to stick with Danny throughout the film, but after one stern flogging by his father, Pete appears to want nothing more to do with Danny and tells Danny he should give up. Admittedly, the boys are played by two very untalented actors, which is probably part of this problem.

STOLEN SUMMER was nothing more than "a return to innocence past," intended to provoke nostalgia and longing for anyone who's lived through the 1970's when Things Weren't So Harsh. The story, however, fails miserably to move us. Pete ultimately plods through the movie learning nothing, and never changing. At the beginning, he's a fun-loving, outspoken kid who loves his family and believes in heaven. At the end, he's... a fun-loving, outspoken kid who loves his family and believes in heaven. Yawn.

STAND BY ME, on the other hand, is a film that will stay with you for years. Gordie and Chris are profoundly changed by their experience on the quest, which makes the film all the more interesting and relevant as a coming of age story. It's a great film to see with a group, by the way. When it's over you'll want to talk about it.

-- Jettatore from Bolgia 9