Rob Reiner's Quiet Triumph: Stand By Me and the Coming-of-Age Canon

Okay, so I'm finally getting around to diving deeper into Rob Reiner's filmography (yeah, I know, I'm late to the party on this one!). And 'Stand By Me' was... unexpectedly great. I knew the basic plot – kids find a dead body, etc. – but I wasn't prepared for how emotionally resonant it was. Reiner really nails that feeling of childhood friendship, that intense bond you have with people who just get you, even if you're all a mess. The casting was also GENIUS! River Phoenix as Chris Chambers? Heartbreaking. Wil Wheaton as Gordie? So believable as the sensitive writer. Even Corey Feldman's Teddy felt real, despite the more cartoonish aspects of the character. The dude definitely has range. I think what really struck me was how Reiner lets the actors just... exist. There weren't a ton of flashy camera tricks or anything, just letting these kids be kids, deal with their own baggage, and bicker like siblings. That leeches scene, while kinda gross, perfectly encapsulates that dynamic. And the way Gordie's grief is handled is so subtle but effective. It's not like, constantly in your face, but you see it in the way he moves, the way he talks. And that ending, with adult Gordie writing about his friends... got me a little misty-eyed, I'm not gonna lie. One thing I wasn't totally sold on -- the 'Ace' character and his crew felt a little over the top villain-y compared to the realistic portrayal of the boys. Though I guess you need an antagonist to raise the stakes. Overall, though, really solid stuff. I'm now even more hyped to watch 'When Harry Met Sally' (yes, I know, another glaring omission from my Reiner-viewing history lol). Anyone else feel like this movie holds up incredibly well? Or am I just being nostalgic?