Standing Up, Falling Down

Peter Hoare's script contains bromantic clichés, it's true. But just as many scenes confound.

What keeps you hanging on is the Teflon likeability of the leads, welcome vital signs in a film of otherwise aggressive modesty.

The schmaltz is gone, as is the self-love, and instead we have a sweetly empathetic turn...

The entire enterprise is so muffled and dull you can't believe what you're watching.

As a dermatologist mentoring a young comedian, Billy Crystal feels real, even in the cheesiest moments.

The dialogue is so snappy. They have such terrific chemistry together that you want to spend time with them.

“Standing Up” is an often whimsical look at second chances and new beginnings. On the flipside it’s about remorse, loss, and self-destruction.

This is a Crystal we've never seen before, and while many of us have suspected that he has always had it in him, "Standing Up, Falling Down" is proof that Crystal may still have a second productive career as a great character actor.

Standing Up, Falling Down does seem to be reaching for a slice of life narrative, à la Paterson, but it reads more like melodrama.

…a nice chance to see that Crystal can still shine, with Schwartz supporting nicely with a self-deprecating, wry performance&#59; it would be nice to see more of both men’s undisputable comic talents, but this accomplished two-hander will do for now…