Standing Still

Critics Consensus

This coming-of-age film's young, attractive cast helps to mitigate the stultifying dialogue and uninspired direction.

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Movie Info

When a diverse group of lifelong friends comes together to celebrate the marriage of devoted couple Elise (Amy Adams) and Michael (Adam Garcia), the mixed-up relationships of the past pave the road to a weekend no one is likely to soon forget in the feature debut from filmmaker Matthew Cole Weiss. The setting is Los Angeles, CA, and the event is the wedding between a man and a woman who always seemed destined to be together. Unfortunately, all relationships can't be as healthy as Elise and Michael's is, and though best man and maid of honor Rich (Aaron Stanford) and Samantha (Melissa Sagemiller) seem to be preparing to take the plunge, the same certainly cannot be said for neurotic actress Lana (Mena Suvari). A free-spirited soul who has experienced flings with a variety of wedding attendees including the hapless Pockets (Jon Abrahams), alcoholic actor Simon (James Van Der Beek), and manic children's television program host Donovan (Ethan Embry), Lana attempts to sort out her past flings as lovelorn agent Quentin (Colin Hanks) pines for the bride's sister and the estranged father of the groom attempts to reconnect with his long-lost son. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating:

R (for sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Matthew Cole Weiss
Written By:

Matthew Perniciaro, Timm Sharp
In Theaters:

Jun 17, 2005 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 27, 2006
Runtime:

90 minutes
Studio:

Freestyle Releasing

Cast

Adam Garcia
as Michael

Amy Adams
as Elise

Aaron Stanford
as Rich

Colin Hanks
as Quentin

Xander Berkeley
as Jonathan

Ethan Embry
as Donovan

James Van Der Beek
as Simon

Jon Abrahams
as Pockets

Mena Suvari
as Lana

Lauren German
as Jennifer

Marnette Patterson
as Sarah

Melissa Sagemiller
as Samantha

Roger Avary
as Franklin Brauner

Nikki Schieler Ziering
as Prostitute/Cop

Dakota Sky
as Kid

Buck Kartalian
as Older Man

James Duval
as Store Clerk

Bret Roberts
as Taxi Driver

Matthew Cole Weiss
as Captain

Michael B. Healey
as Blackjack Dealer

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Critic Reviews for Standing Still

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (14)

The Swiss-quartz comic timing of the film's ensemble cast makes its neurotic characters more compelling than your average cinematic slackers.

Apr 25, 2006 | Full Review…

Erin Clements
Time Out
Top Critic
This is a hit and miss romantic comedy with a few solid laughs and some pretty smart dialogue.

Apr 24, 2006

Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic
Don't send a gift. Send your regrets. This is one wedding invitation that can clearly, safely be declined.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 1.5/4

Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger
Top Critic
The aptly named Standing Still, about postcollegiate 20-somethings, has the dramatic momentum of a daisy-picking toddler.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 1.5/5

Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic
Relentlessly shallow.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 1/4

Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Top Critic
A movie as inert as its title.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 2/4

Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
Top Critic
...a progressively endearing effort that boasts several superb performances and a brisk, downright fun sensibility.

May 8, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
An independent, dialogue-heavy film that from the looks of it was made more with fun and passion than money.

Apr 25, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
I continue to enjoy Van Der Beek's willingness to play obnoxiously against type -- it turns out as a big-headed hero, he's boring, but as a big-headed ***, he's a funny guy.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4

Dan Fienberg
Zap2it.com
The efforts of an attractive and accomplished cast ensure that director Matthew Cole Weiss' feature debut is neither as dull nor as insufferably smug as it could easily have been.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide
There's just simply not one iota of originality to this exceedingly superficial and charm-deprived ensemble film. It doesn't help that most of the characters come across as entitled, navel-gazing twits without a smidgen of depth.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: 1.5/4

Timothy Knight
Reel.com
The entire cast is likable and good looking -- a combination that turns what could be cheerful, if fluffy, fair into something a bit more resonant.

Apr 21, 2006 | Rating: B | Full Review…

E! Staff
E! Online

View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for Standing Still

Mar 08, 2011

Elise and Michael (Amy Adams, Adam Garcia) are college sweethearts who are about to walk down the aisle and gather all of their old friends together to join in the celebration. Many of them have pasts all their own and haven't seen each other for years. As they each arrive at the house, joyous reunions quickly turn into awkward meetings that bring up both sweet and painful memories. Elise's old college roommate (Lauren German), who she had a secret lesbian relationship with when she they were in school, show up and try to change Elise's mind about the wedding. Her other friends (Melissa Sagemiller, Mena Suvari) are trying to figure out how to move on in their lives and from the things that have held them back. A dramatic subplot involving Michael's estranged father Jonathan (Xander Berkeley), who's battling addiction attempts to reenter his son's life. The movie contains excessive amounts of sexual immorality, indecent language, nude shots, and youthful hedonism.

Deb S Super Reviewer
Oct 14, 2010

I just watched this movie, and I really liked it...alot. Sheesh. What's with all the bad reviews I am reading about this movie? Some of the things that were said didn't even sound like the same movie I just saw. Amazing. Well, I thought it was very charming, cute, and enjoyable.

Cynthia S Super Reviewer
Sep 01, 2008

Not a memorable movie. I wouldn't watch it again.

Red L Super Reviewer
Jun 30, 2007

Standing Still is a dialogue-driven character piece about way too many twentysomethings' feelings & questionings to cover up in ninety minutes, but it somehow manages to leave an impression. Indeed, despite the fact that the plot really does go nowhere and we've heard this kind of story a bazillion times, director Matthew Cole Weiss and his excellent cast succeed in breathing life into these characters and giving the movie a natural, truthful ring. Nothing exceptional, but worth seing anyway.

Laurence C Super Reviewer