Stand by Me 1986

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: Stand by Me is a film of honorable ambitions severely compromised by a creeping show-biz phoniness. Read more

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times: It stands, sweet and strong, ribald, outrageous and funny, like its heroes themselves -- a bit gamy around the edges, perhaps, but pure and fine clear through. It's one of those treasures absolutely not to be missed. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: Its perspective is that of a knowing adult, which is to say that though the film is frequently affectionate and funny, it contains a drop too much condescension to be entirely successful. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: Stand by Me is a small, quiet film that walks tall and resonates long after. Read more

Walter Goodman, New York Times: Rob Reiner's direction hammers in every obvious element in an obvious script. Read more

Pat Graham, Chicago Reader: Reiner seems lost in his own cinematic wilderness -- button-down careful, almost afraid to move Read more

Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: Good luck choking back the tears, folks. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: It's as effective in 2009 as it was upon its initial release, and the richness of its tapestry, densely woven from human emotions and character interaction, ensure it will never lose that relevance. Read more

Time Out: The film is so well-observed and so energetically acted by its young cast that mawkishness is kept at bay. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Scripters have written inspired dialog for this quartet of plucky boys at that hard-to-capture age when they're still young enough to get scared and yet old enough to want to sneak smokes and cuss. Read more