The Stand In

Ok, I understand the bad reviews because the movie was presented as a comedy, but it's not a comedy at all. It's more of a drama / thriller movie and within those genres it works very well. Drew Barrymore did an excellent job, she played two roles, this depressed, overwhelmed woman with severe problems and on the other hand there is this other character, who at first seems to be a happy girl with problems but innocent, although little by little she is showing her true essence. So if you are going to see this movie, I recommend you not to see it as a comedy, because you will not find jokes, funny scenes, etc. See this movie for what it is, a drama with touches of thriller. And I repeat, Drew Barrymore really did an excellent job here!

That line delivered in the movie by agent Louis (not even his real name, he adds), portrayed by T. J. Miller, of all the controversial actors, sums up "The Stand In" quite well, and not only regarding the business of making movies. That fakeness permeates the audience, critics, fans and social-media followers, too. The paparazzi aren't harassing stars when they venture outside their fortified mansions for no reason, and it's the same one that encourages fans to look for selfies even when the celebrity is gut-punched and lying on the street. It's why something like "Framing Britney Spears" exists, where fans hypocritically both claim to want to free her and have her be obliged to perform for them and be a continued subject of gossip and harassment, while still others are ostracized by so-called "cancel culture" and put on apology tours of comebacks. Albeit less objectionable, it's the same for movie expectations. Critics claiming they want something different--that subverts their expectations and not just another sequel or formulaic "hit me where it hurts." So, here we have "The Stand In" advertised as a comedy or romance, but it really isn't, and that also mocks the brand of bubbly slapstick and rom-com antics that stars like Drew Barrymore (as well as a supporting cast and cameos from comedic veterans Holland Taylor, Ellie Kemper, Lena Dunham, Richard Kind, Miller and others) are known for, as well as recruiting talk-show hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Kelly Ripa to mock how phony their crafts are, and the movie is widely panned. Maybe there's a reason TV is full of junk and most of the box office, in non-pandemic years at least, is occupied by the MCU and other franchise installments or otherwise safe-and-predictable Disney-type fare. The whole business is fake. So incisively reflexive is this that I'm rating "The Stand In" higher than I might otherwise for such a considerably flawed picture. I mean, its resolution is ultimately to seclude oneself in a Shaker community--although, granted, it's somewhat amusing that the rom-com aspect of the narrative revolves so much around a Christian sect known for their celibacy (if you haven't heard of Shakers, that's probably why, as one's numbers tend to dwindle without procreation). And, it could've been funny, perhaps, if it hadn't imitated "Single White Female" (1992) instead. Besides the casting of Miller and maybe others--I'm not hip to all the celebrity scandals--Barrymore and her star persona fits well in the reflexive construction. It would've been more apt had the movie made her character acting royalty, like the real actress is as part of the Barrymore clan and put into films as soon as she could walk, instead of a carpenter, but at least there's the drug abuse and rehab here, which is in line with the art-reflecting-life theme. Supporting the fake and doubled nature of cinematic representation, there's two Barrymores, too. Kind of like "An American Pickle" (2020), but the dual roles aren't a pointless vanity exercise. Actors-playing-actors, inside and outside the films-within-the-film, "reality" and illusion. They reflect the duality and duplicity of cinema itself while also holding up a mirror to the culture surrounding it--the whole fake business. That's clever reflexive filmmaking, so big whoop if it doesn't meet generic expectations of humor and romance. Good, I'll take "The Stand In" over an entire listicle of Barrymore rom-coms any day.

I really looked forward to seeing this movie, who wouldn't want to see a double Drew Barrymore, but It was a struggle to see the humor in this movie. Drew her heart, the emotions were not there. The only part i believed was when she sucker punches the stand in ... Holland Taylor was amazing!! When she gave motivation advice to the actress it made me laugh..

The bad reviews because the movie is in the comedy category, but if you dismiss that mistake and watch it as a drama / thriller movie it will be very enjoyable. Drew Barrymore was excellent as expected, played two roles. So if you are gonna watch the movie, I recommend to be mentally prepared for a drama/thriller night. No jokes or funny scenes, etc. Serious cast A high standard Hollywood production, very good dialogue and the director did fairly very good. And I repeat, Drew Barrymore really did an excellent job here!

I liked this movie, it's pieces of an actress's life coming apart, publicly and privately and the twists and turns that happen along the way to restore her heart and soul. Drew was excellent, the writing is sweet, honest, clever and revealed to me some things about myself I don't like.

Ok, everyone was looking for a comedy, that is OUR fault. But thats not the point. Its a wrong movie that you believe that goes to one direction and then gives you nothing.

There was a lot of swearing in this moving. Drew did not need 50% of the swearing content to convey the message in this script. Its not really fair because if this was any other actress but Drew the move would be 4 out 10 stars for sure. However, it is Drew and she is trying to be hard core. The other problem is she is so cute even when she is playing an evil twin part in a movie. The script is good and she is wonderful. The other actors did well too. By the end of this script I wanted to move to up state New York and retire. 7 stars because its Drew on this one.

No No NO, this was a bad wknd overall for movies, this ranks worst. Wait for your next Sandler movie, concentrate on talk show. This movie doesn't deserve synopsis review.

Don't have preconceived expectations for what you want this movie to be and it'll be fine. I'm glad I didnt read the reviews before I watched it, because I probably would have just skipped over it. I thought it was a really good movie and I thought Drew Barrymore did a fantastic job at playing the two women. The topic is really interesting. Like other reviewers have noted, it's more of a drama film, but that doesn't mean it's not a good movie. It had a solid pace and kept me intrigued and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Give it a watch. I didn't know it until I watched this movie, but I missed seeing Drew Barrymore in films. I hope she comes back and does more.

What is up with the reviewers here? Yes, this movie is billed as a comedy, but PLENTY of movie trailers do that, to lure an audience, and then hit you with a different/alternate genre altogether. This is a dark dramedy - about a woman struggling to comes to terms with her success and her repudiation of it. Drew Barrymore does a great job of creating these two totally polar characters (I mean, think about acting with yourself?? How hard must that be??). The rest of the cast is seen in roles we may not typically associate them with (loved Ellie Kemper as a straight-laced serious type - nice to see her range!). Michael Zegen is great as the love interest, in definitely the most understated of all the characters - really nice, nuanced work. Just go into it without the typical 'this is a rom com' expectations and see where it takes you. Definitely an interesting film with nice twists and turns -- just give it a chance to be what it is!