Standing Still
A weekend wedding party reunites a group of incestuous college pals.
Four years out of college, a group of long-separated buddies shows up at the home of Michael (Adam Garcia) and Elise (Amy Adams) to celebrate their wedding over a long weekend. If you're already cringing, you've got the right idea, said Jeannette Catsoulis in The New York Times. This movie isn't just a rip-off of The Big Chill or St. Elmo's Fire, it's as empty as a bad sitcom pilot. The ensemble gathers for a contrived reunion and the usual entanglements ensue, with all 'œthe dramatic momentum of a daisy-picking toddler.' So if it's not plot-driven, it must be character-fueled, right? said Stephen Whitty in the Newark Star-Ledger. Wrong. 'œStanding Still has only types': the movie star (James Van Der Beek), the fast-talking agent (Colin Hanks), the chic lesbian (Lauren German), and the sarcastic blonde (Mena Suvari). Each one is white, beautiful, and rich, and each sports unrealistic angst. That's the biggest problem with this movie, said Mark Olsen in the Los Angeles Times. Cliché is forgivable; unoriginality is understandable. But not a single narrative thread makes sense. How is it that none of these 20-somethings has a dead-end job or a student loan to pay off? Why were these wildly different characters friends to begin with? 'œTheir problems seem phony and arbitrary.'
Rating: R
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The struggles of Aston Martin
In the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibe
The Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort