Story Line

The film “Stand By Me” is a true story about four twelve year old boys, living in a small town in the year 1959. The boys, Gordie, Chris, Vern and Teddy go on an adventure to find the missing body of another young boy hit by a train, in the woods. As a result, a classic “coming-of-age” story unfolds.

The boys have their own tree house with its special club rules, including a secret knock, and spend their time in meaningless arguments, playing games, or just hanging about. Although on the surface they are typical pre-adolescent boys, you soon find out that underneath their normal daring and enthusiasm, each of them have secrets, problems and fears of their own.

 "Alright, alright, Mickey's a mouse, Donald's a duck, Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy?"

Gordie’s older brother Denny was recently killed. His parents look upon Gordie as a failure and wish for him to be more like his older brother. Chris, Gordie’s best friend, who is intelligent, brave and the natural leader of the four boys, has an alcoholic father, who constantly abuses him. Chris also has an older brother who is a criminal. Most people in the town judge Chris and expect he will follow in the footsteps of his family. Teddy’s father is in a mental hospital. And Vern, on the chubby side, is constantly the butt of all jokes. Vern’s older brother likes to boss him around; therefore Vern spends most of his time hiding out.

Vern overhearing his older brother describe the location where he is sure the dead body of the missing boy lays, takes this as a chance to be important in his group, and brings this information to the other boys.  

Intrigued by the thought of seeing a real dead body and the chance to become heroes in the town, the boys decide to walk to the location of the dead body. While the boys travel telling stories and bonding through their shared experience, they soon realise how unprepared they were for the journey. No one remembered to bring food, they out-run a train and have a traumatic experience with leeches when they take a shortcut through a swamp. Meanwhile, Ace leader of an older gang of the town, also finds out the location of the dead body from Vern’s older brother. Ace and his gang set out to find the body for themselves in hope of fame and money when the return with the body.

The story soon comes to its climax point as the two groups square off at the site of the dead body.

“Stand By Me” is a film about friendship, loyalty and maturity. It demonstrates how the deep connection of friendship can overcome many obstacles.  The boys mature significantly when they come across the dead body. 

Friendship

We all know that with the growing of ourselves we will have a variety of friends in life. I believe when we make friends it is mainly based on our different emotions at the time. When we are children, we make friends who can play childish games with us, who can have fun with us, imagine and dream with us. When we enter into primary school, we make friends who we can make pranks with, pranks that will remain fresh in our minds, no matter how much time passes by. When we are in high school we meet the friends who can encourage us and help us to deal with all kinds of difficulties in life.

As individuals, we are owners of many relationships. We are daughters, sons, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, girlfriends, boyfriends, and much more. There is a type of commitment towards all these relationships. Although with a friendship, things are very different. There is a kind of deep connection between friends that is never to be seen in any other relationship. We look out for friends to share our joys and sorrows with, no matter how close you may be to your mum or dad, a friend is who we turn to, to tell our deepest secrets to. There is little that we hide from our friends.  

As a child, one can live, play, act and dream as you want. There are no responsibilities or worries in life. While being an adult, there is so much pressure and less freedom; one cannot do everything a child can. I believe you never forget your primary school friends, and if you’re lucky, like me, you get to continue growing up with them.

As teens we have a lot of friends, and changes begin to take place. Our friendship circle may change, consisting of new faces. New friends join but the essence of the friendship remains the same. For some of us, our childhood friends are still our closest buddies; they are the ones we continue to trust through our lives.

"Friends may be many, but real friendship is the one that has no demands and no conditions. It holds you firm when you fall, stands by your side like a strong shield and gives you a tight hug when your soul feels heavy. It is the joy of giving; even at the expense of one’s own comfort. Finally it is the need to live and the hope to survive."

Lyrics

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me!
when you're not strong
and I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
for it won't be long
'till I'm gonna need
somebody to lean on

Please! (please)
swallow your pride (pride)
if I have things
you need to borrow
(For) for no one can fill
those of your needs
that you wont let show

So just call (call) on me brother (hey)
when you need a hand (When you need a hand)
we all need (need) somebody to lean on!
(I just might have a problem)
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
we all need somebody to lean on!

Lean on me (hey)
when you're not strong (When you're not strong)
I'll be your friend (I'll be your friend)
I'll help you carry on (help you carry on)
for it wont be long (o it wont be long)
'till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

(Just lean on me) you just call on me brother (hey)
when you need a hand (when you need a hand)
we all need (need) somebody to lean on! (somebody to lean on)
(I just might) I just might have a problem that you'll understand
we all need somebody to lean on!
Lean on me

If (If)
there is a load! (there is a load)
you have to bare (you have to bare)
that you can't carry
I'm (I'm higher) right up the road
I'll share your load
if you just call me

Call me (I'm calling)
Call me (when you need a friend)
Call me (call me)
Call me (call me) (when you need a friend)
Call me (when you need a friend)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (any time of day
Call me

It won't be long till I'm Gonna need somebody to lean on, lean on, lean on
lean on lean on lean on me when you need a friend
lean on lean on lean on me lean on me
lean on lean on lean on me
I'm gonna need (somebody) somebody to lean on
I'm gonna need somebody to lean on (somebody to lean on)
Yeah!



“Lean On Me” was first written and sung by Bill Withers in 1972. This song has been interpreted by various other artists including Mud, DC talk, Michael Bolton and the Temptations. The version I chose to use was recently sung by the glee cast.

The song “Lean On Me” is about always having someone there to help you through hard times. Its shows what friendship can accomplish and how important a friend can be. You can always rely on a friend to encourage you to accomplish your best.

"I'm never gonna get out of this town am I, Gordie?" "You can do anything you want, man."

 

Memory

Year seven graduation I will always remember. I was so excited for graduation and seeing all my friends graduate with me, but I was also very sad. When we were celebrating it finally hit me, this would be one of the last times I see some of these people. All of them were my friends, and I have great memories with each and every one of them. I know they have impacted my life tremendously. I will never forget the people I grew up with, and I hope every one of them is living the life we dreamt of together.

Graduation 2008

Posting

Tommas: Carla your blog looks so good, looks like you have put alot of hard work into it.We went to primary school together and are still such close friends now. Carla, you are the best definision for a great friend!

Nikki: This blog is really good! :) we have been good friends in primary school but have gotten so much closer over the last three years. thankyou for being there for me always. I love you x

Orazio: wow! this bolg is amazing. i met you just before year 8 and im glad i did. your such a funny girl and i like spending time with you. well done on your blog. A grad!