Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz Bring a Fresh Take to the Buddy Comedy With ‘Standing Up, Falling Down’

Standing Up, Falling Down first premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, landed on VOD in February, and is easily one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen so far this year. Ben Schwartz stars as Scott, a guy in his mid-30’s who returns home to Long Island and moves back in with this family after a stint in Los Angeles chasing his dreams of being a comedian doesn’t quite work out. He doesn’t connect with this dad, or even his old high school buddies who have grown up and had families of their own, but he does form a special bond with…his dermatologist?

Of course, it’s easy to understand why when you learn the dermatologist, Marty, is played by the reliably charming Billy Crystal. The two connect over the relationships they hope to rebuild; Scott with his ex-girlfriend, and Marty with his kids, and after a few rounds of alcohol, weed, and laughs, an unexpected yet really refreshing friendship is formed.

Both Schwartz and Crystal are really good in this comedy/drama, oscillating between sweet and tender scenes and fun and goofy moments when the film calls for it. There’s something so inherently pleasant about their relationship here, giving viewers all the right amounts of “we’re of different generations but we have things in common and we’re also learning from each other!” Plus, the cast is stacked with supporting performances from Eloise Mumford, Grace Gummer, Nate Corddry, Debra Monk and Kevin Dunn, which is a can’t-lose lineup if I’ve ever seen one.

The way I’ll be recommending this movie is simply describing it as one you won’t regret watching. It’s a lovely viewing experience. Standing Up, Falling Down is an ideal 90 minutes and proves to be a project that managed to take my mind off the world, thaw my heart, and make me feel something — with some chuckles thrown in for good measure. It’s just what I look for in a movie, to be entertaining without throwing all of life’s big questions your way and causing viewers to spiral into their own existential crisis. This one is able to tackle love and life and loss in a way that people of all ages can relate to, and is a nice reminder to perhaps not give up on your dreams, but learn to refocus them — and be okay with adjusting them along the way. Plus, there’s also that ever-timely nudge to live in the moment, at a time when we certainly need it most.

Where to stream Standing Up, Falling Down