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Please Stand By

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for Please Stand By PG-13 Released Jan 26, 2018 1h 33m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
58% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
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.
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Please Stand By

Please Stand By

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

View All (38) Critics Reviews
Sheri Linden Hollywood Reporter 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. Jan 29, 2018 Full Review David Edelstein New York Magazine/Vulture 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. Jan 26, 2018 Full Review Rex Reed Observer Touches the viewer with the subtle emotional wallop of a feather brushing against the heart. Rated: 3/4 Jan 26, 2018 Full Review Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema A lukewarm movie with its heart in the right place. Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 8, 2021 Full Review Josh Goller Spectrum Culture Checking off all the autism boxes rather than imbuing an unconventional character with additional depth ultimately dooms Please Stand By to mediocrity. Rated: 2.75/5 Jul 20, 2019 Full Review Francisco Marinero El Mundo (Spain) The movie functions well as a road film and a film about overcoming obstacles, however it almost telegraphs its ambition for awards. [Full Review in Spanish] Rated: 2/5 Mar 1, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (78) audience reviews
alan g A very good movie about transcending ones disabilities. Dakota is great as usual. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/22/24 Full Review Larry L This is such a great movie. The critics once again have missed called it. My opinion one of Dakota Fanning's best works. And of course I love a movie with a sweet pup so that won my heart as well. Don't listen to the critics this is a must see movie. The critics don't like it because there's no sex no nudity no murder and no cursing. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/26/24 Full Review Melissa L As a neurodiverse viewer, I could relate to a lot of struggles of this young woman, particularly being too trusting and naive. Very heartwarming, and Dakota Fanning does an amazing job! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/23 Full Review Wayne H Heartwarming, funny, sad with an amazing performance by Dakota Fanning. I do not understand the negative reviews (obviously). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/20/23 Full Review Stephanie L It was a good movie. I'd watch it again. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/27/23 Full Review brOOtal_bananas L Funny, sad, heartwarming... Definitely worth a watch 👍 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Please Stand By

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Cast & Crew

Joy 61% 57% Joy Watchlist TRAILER for Joy Ricki and the Flash 65% 43% Ricki and the Flash Watchlist TRAILER for Ricki and the Flash Instant Family 82% 83% Instant Family Watchlist TRAILER for Instant Family The Upside 43% 82% The Upside Watchlist TRAILER for The Upside St. Vincent 77% 78% St. Vincent Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Ben Lewin
Producer
Daniel Dubiecki, Lara Alameddine, Todd Wagner
Screenwriter
Michael Golamco
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
2929 Productions, Magnolia Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 26, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 26, 2018
Runtime
1h 33m
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