Describe an interesting character in the film Stand By Me and explain three certain things the director uses to make this character interesting.
Chris
An interesting character in the film Stand By Me directed by Rob Riener is Chris played by River Phoenix. Rob Riener makes Chris interesting using three techniques in the film-Costume, Dialogue and Props.
Chris is a 12-13 year old school boy who lives in a small town in America set in the 50’s. His character is tough, strong, stealthy and masculine. But although he is tough and strong, he has a soft side to him as well that individualises his character. Chris is troubled because his father gives him constant beatings. Also, his big brother is the town “Bad Boy”, and everybody expects Chris to be the same. In the gang, Chris is the decision-maker and shows leadership towards his three friends, Gordy, Teddy and Vern. Chris is important to the film because even though everybody in the town thinks he’s a bad boy like his brother, he shrugs off the remarks for he is really kind and caring.
The director uses the techniques of Costume, Dialogue and Props to make Chris interesting. The first technique the director uses is Costume. Chris wears a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, tight jeans and sneakers. The white shirt is only worn by the bad boys around the town, and Chris wears it to show he’s boss of the gang. Tight jeans are casual wear for young men around the town, and sneakers are a bad boy type of clothing. An example of his costume in the film is when he rolls his sleeves to reveal big muscles. This helps make Chris interesting by using his clothing to explain his attitude.
The second technique that the director uses is Dialogue.
Chris and his gang are well into the habit of swearing and teasing one another. Chris uses two types of language in the film. One is swearing and having a great time, and the other is serious and stern. Chris uses both these types of language at appropriate times in the film. The way the four friends communicate is commonly involved with swearing, and they often tease one another to build their confidence. Chris talks in a brave manner. An example of this in the film is where Chris comes up against his big brother Ace, and says “Back off. We found him first.’’ This helps make Chris interesting by showing he’s not afraid of his big brother and won’t easily back off from something he wants.
The third technique the director uses is Props.
In the film, Chris finds and uses a few props. He hides cigarettes inside his white shirt, saving them for him and his friends. He also finds a gun around an old shack, and he keeps it for protection and guarding along the journey. Chris wears a bag slung over his shoulder to carry small supplies throughout the journey. One example of a prop in the film is where Chris carries a newly found gun towards his friend, Gordy. Chris says, “Look, it’s a gun.’’
The character Chris is interesting because of his role in the film and his relationship with Gordy, Teddy, Vern, Ace and his father. Rob Riener made this character interesting by using techniques like Costume, Dialogue and Props.
I think Chris is a realistic character, because I can relate him to a friend of mine who’s misunderstood by others. Others believe he’s a mischief maker, and it’s true, but he doesn’t behave like one all the time. He is really a great friend who gets a little distracted in the afternoon from tiredness.
By Ryan Matthew Aranyi
Chris
An interesting character in the film Stand By Me directed by Rob Riener is Chris played by River Phoenix. Rob Riener makes Chris interesting using three techniques in the film-Costume, Dialogue and Props.
Chris is a 12-13 year old school boy who lives in a small town in America set in the 50’s. His character is tough, strong, stealthy and masculine. But although he is tough and strong, he has a soft side to him as well that individualises his character. Chris is troubled because his father gives him constant beatings. Also, his big brother is the town “Bad Boy”, and everybody expects Chris to be the same. In the gang, Chris is the decision-maker and shows leadership towards his three friends, Gordy, Teddy and Vern. Chris is important to the film because even though everybody in the town thinks he’s a bad boy like his brother, he shrugs off the remarks for he is really kind and caring.
The director uses the techniques of Costume, Dialogue and Props to make Chris interesting. The first technique the director uses is Costume. Chris wears a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, tight jeans and sneakers. The white shirt is only worn by the bad boys around the town, and Chris wears it to show he’s boss of the gang. Tight jeans are casual wear for young men around the town, and sneakers are a bad boy type of clothing. An example of his costume in the film is when he rolls his sleeves to reveal big muscles. This helps make Chris interesting by using his clothing to explain his attitude.
The second technique that the director uses is Dialogue.
Chris and his gang are well into the habit of swearing and teasing one another. Chris uses two types of language in the film. One is swearing and having a great time, and the other is serious and stern. Chris uses both these types of language at appropriate times in the film. The way the four friends communicate is commonly involved with swearing, and they often tease one another to build their confidence. Chris talks in a brave manner. An example of this in the film is where Chris comes up against his big brother Ace, and says “Back off. We found him first.’’ This helps make Chris interesting by showing he’s not afraid of his big brother and won’t easily back off from something he wants.
The third technique the director uses is Props.
In the film, Chris finds and uses a few props. He hides cigarettes inside his white shirt, saving them for him and his friends. He also finds a gun around an old shack, and he keeps it for protection and guarding along the journey. Chris wears a bag slung over his shoulder to carry small supplies throughout the journey. One example of a prop in the film is where Chris carries a newly found gun towards his friend, Gordy. Chris says, “Look, it’s a gun.’’
The character Chris is interesting because of his role in the film and his relationship with Gordy, Teddy, Vern, Ace and his father. Rob Riener made this character interesting by using techniques like Costume, Dialogue and Props.
I think Chris is a realistic character, because I can relate him to a friend of mine who’s misunderstood by others. Others believe he’s a mischief maker, and it’s true, but he doesn’t behave like one all the time. He is really a great friend who gets a little distracted in the afternoon from tiredness.
By Ryan Matthew Aranyi