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Please Stand By hits a number of familiar coming-of-age beats, but adds just enough of a Trek-fueled twist to keep things interesting. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Wendy sees things differently: she's fiercely independent, with a brilliant mind and a mischievous sense of hilarity. Wendy also has autism. To her, people are an indecipherable code and the world's a confusing place. Inspired by her no-nonsense caregiver, Wendy comes of age and escapes from her care home on the road trip of a lifetime to deliver her 500-page script to a writing competition.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
  • Genre:
    drama, comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Ben Lewin
  • Producer:
    Daniel Dubiecki, Lara Alameddine, Todd Wagner
  • Writer:
    Michael Golamco
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures

Cast & Crew

Dakota Fanning
Wendy
Toni Collette
Scottie
Alice Eve
Audrey
Patton Oswalt
Police Officer Frank
Michael Stahl-David
Jack
River Alexander
Sam
Tony Revolori
Nemo
Jessica Rothe
Julie
William Stanford Davis
Creed
Ben Lewin
Director
Michael Golamco
Screenwriter
Daniel Dubiecki
Producer
Lara Alameddine
Producer
Todd Wagner
Producer
Geoffrey Simpson
Cinematographer
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News & Interviews for Please Stand By

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Critic Reviews for Please Stand By

All Critics (38) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (16)

  • Lewin can't quite transcend the inconsistencies and dwindling credibility of the concept or give the material a driving pulse, even with its race-to-the-deadline setup.

    January 29, 2018 | Full Review…

    Sheri Linden

    Hollywood Reporter

  • You can guess how most of its scenes will play before you even come to them, and it has a circumspect, sanitized quality, as if meant to be shown in group homes without causing undue upset.

    January 26, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Edelstein

    New York Magazine/Vulture

  • Touches the viewer with the subtle emotional wallop of a feather brushing against the heart.

    January 26, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Rex Reed

    Observer

  • A sensitive character study whose story beats are a little bit overly familiar.

    January 26, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Glenn Kenny

    RogerEbert.com

  • Lewin ... posits this as a whimsical road comedy, but I couldn't help questioning both the logic and the consistency.

    January 25, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Sara Stewart

    New York Post

  • Please Stand By deflates into a perfectly watchable but soft parable in which a can-do young American loses a battle, only to win the war of growing up, while the adults in the room confront their own unhelpful rigidities.

    January 25, 2018 | Full Review…

    Ella Taylor

    NPR
View All Critic Reviews (38)

Audience Reviews for Please Stand By

  • Jan 22, 2019
    Dakota Fanning stars in the compelling character drama Please Stand By. The story follows a young autistic woman who writers a Star Trek script for a fan competition, but when she misses the mailing deadline she decides to make a trek to Los Angeles to submit her script to the Paramount studio in person. Fanning gives an incredibly good performance, and is backed by a strong supporting cast that including Alice Eve, Toni Collette, and Patton Oswalt. Additionally, the script is especially well-written; particularly in how it uses the Star Trek motif. And the soundtrack does an impressive job at setting a lighthearted yet earnest tone. Heartwarming and inspirational, Please Stand By is an entertaining film with a positive message.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 07, 2018
    Dakota Fanning gets her layup shot with the easy Hollywood trope of mental illness (nearly always Oscar material performances due to sympathy, see Rain Man), and does well as a woman who dreams of submitting her Star Trek script to Paramount Studios. It's a nice story without a lot of waxy yellow buildup, even if predictable.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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