Meeting Rob Reiner, I Realized I Knew "Stand By Me" Better Than He Did

I watched the classic film "Stand By Me" countless times as a teenager. So, sitting with its director, Rob Reiner, to view it again was overwhelming. It was August 2006, the 20th anniversary of the film's release. I met Reiner at his office in Beverly Hills. He smiled warmly. "You’ve seen 'Stand By Me' 100 times?" he asked. I nodded. "Then you probably know it better than I do." Posters of his famous movies covered the walls. But we focused on a small television screen as the film started. My official reason for being there was to write an anniversary article for a film magazine. But it felt like a dream. As a teen, I had played the movie on repeat. I closely identified with its four young characters. They shared their sadness, insecurities, and distrust of adults during a journey. That day with Reiner was magical. The man proved to be as warm-hearted as the film he created. Both changed my life.