Heartwarming enough to keep it interesting till the end, this movie is simple, dramatic enough, and just that. No overplaying the autistic card, not overreacting, no tragedies. A simple story, about an autistic girl who wants to make her dreams come true and live a normal life. And it's worth watching it.
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PennyReviews8 March 2018
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I was very impressed with this film. The portrayals are fairly accurate and positive. I think that's important.
This film is about an autistic girl named Wendy, played by Dakota Fanning. Wendy is a humongous Star Trek fan who runs away from her caregiver and heads to Paramount Pictures to enter her script in a Star Trek writing contest.
The first thing that I must talk about is the fact that the main character is a female autistic girl. I am on the autism spectrum myself. Specifically, I have high-functioning Asperger's syndrome. It's a common misconception that autism occurs mainly in boys, yet this film has a female lead who's on the spectrum and I love that. Autism has such a wide spectrum and effects 1 in 100 people. There are a lot of us out there and, aside from this movie, I can only think of a few other fictional characters on the spectrum and that upsets me. It's rare to see autistic people represented, until recently and they are interesting people. The traits shown in this film are accurate. For example, there's a scene when Wendy sings to herself while covering her ears to block out the loud noises. I can relate to that since I do that too. It's good that the traits shown are correct.
Wendy is a character who you can't help but want to root for. I relate to her passion for writing, as I am also a writer. I wanted her to succeed so badly. Also, all of the Star Trek references actually have a purpose. At first, it just seems as if her love of Star Trek is just her special interest, as many autistic people develop special interests. But the movie actually uses the Star Trek references in a much more meaningful way. There's a scene where one of the characters explains to his mom that Spock has trouble with his emotions. He uses this as an example of why Wendy might be obsessed with the show. To be honest, I thought that metaphor was incredibly creative.
However, I'll be honest, the older sister, Audrey, really bothered me. I understand Wendy is lower functioning. They show early on how Wendy would freak out and start hitting herself when she was overwhelmed. But, the only reason that Wendy runs away is because her sister doesn't trust Wendy being away from her caregiver, therefore Audrey won't drive Wendy to the post office to drop off the script. I know caretakers will connect with Audrey as it can be difficult to care for people with challenges. I just hope people take away from this movie an understanding that people with challenges can still accomplish great things. Autistic people are extremely creative and deserve more credit and opportunities.
I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18.
Reviewed by Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth visit kidsfirst dot org. -
imseeg22 February 2019Subtle, true to life and quite touching. "Please Standby" is an uplifting, gentle portrait of an autistic girl, who desperatedly wants to enter a Star Trek script competition. Will she be able to make her dream wish come true and write her Star Trek script and enter the competition?
This movie feels like letting young children ride their bikes for the very first time, slowly disappearing around the corner, where you cant see them anymore. You want to shelter them from any harm, but you have to let go sometimes in order for them to learn to stand on their own two feet.
Dakota Fanning does a good job of portraying a mildly autistic girl, who is trying to break free from her sheltered, yet constrained life. Entering the Star Trek competition is one way of spreading her wings. This story feels like watching puppies fall on their face and climbing up again. Very endearing and with a great uplifting spirit! -
Tweetienator3 August 2020I like Please Stand By a lot - especially the performance by Dakota Fanning as our autistic heroine is excellent. The story is here and there maybe a little too predictable and sugar candy but there is also a good shot of bitter-sweet pain. All in all a fine little flick that shows a little fairy tale embedded in every day life. My rate = 6 + 1 for Dakota's superb game.
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"Like Spock, for example. He's half-human, half-alien. He has trouble dealing with his emotions. Where did it say that? That's just how he is."
Although "Stand by me" is a fairly predictable film and unrestrainedly endeavors to strike a sensitive nerve, I'm all for such a type of film. The number of films about individuals with a disability, who try to survive in our society where perfection is the standard nowadays, and who succeed in making great achievements, is endless. "I am Sam", "Forrest Gump", "Rain Man", "The theory of everything", "Still Alice", "X + Y" and "Who's driving doug", to name but a few. These are all films where one feels sorry for the main character first. And after a while you realize that these persons surpass all expectations and amaze themselves about their own abilities. Just like Wendy (Dakota Fanning), who suffers from a severe form of autism so that communicating with her environment is a huge obstacle and her daily life is determined by a strict schedule. Handing in a self-written script for a "Star Trek" episode, however, ensures that this well-ordered and well-defined life is shaken up.
All due respect to Dakota Fanning. The way she played this complex character deserves all praise. She distanced herself from all the possibilities available to portray Wendy with all possible tics and ridiculous rituals. Also the phenomenon of autism was not unnecessarily enlarged by her. Apart from the compulsive writing down of all kinds of facts in her notebook and the pattern of colorful sweaters she's wearing on specific days, she seems to function reasonably normal. Not as Freddie Higmore who plays a similar character in "The Good Doctor" with a forced intonation making him sound like a voice computer with incorrectly installed software from Lernout & Hauspie. And yes, I know the spectrum of autism is fairly broad. But I appreciated the modesty with which Dakota Fanning played the person Wendy.
Also Toni "Miss you already" Collette played a not so bad part as Scottie who leads the home where Wendy lives. A patient and passionate person who guides each individual in this center and tries to point these individuals the right way towards a bearable personal life. It wasn't immediately clear to me whether Scottie was her real name or a kind of joke because of Wendy's passion for the television series "Star Trek". Frankly, I felt that all other characters fulfilled their job in an orderly manner. The fact they came across as plain add-ons is entirely due to the beautiful acting of Dakota Fanning of course. The entire film shows how Wendy's trust grows and she shifts her own boundaries (even if it's just crossing a specific street).
"Please stand by" is not primarily about how autists handle themselves and how confusing their view on life is. The subject isn't really thoroughly explored or explained in this area. I can't even remember the word autism being pronounced once. Only a brief remark by a devout, old female about her grandson who displays an identical behavior. It's actually a kind of adventurous quest with the ultimate goal of delivering the filmscript. And so Wendy needs to follow a path, completely normal for average people, where she meets a lot of people with bad intentions. And each time she's saved by caring persons. Almost something like Frodo and that damn ring he had to throw in Mount Doom. Also a risky quest full of obstacles and devious creatures. But then without the autism phenomenon.
Finally, a big applaus for the dog Pete who accompanies Wendy the whole way. They looked like Dorothy and Toto heading for the Wizard of Oz. Fortunately, the duo wasn't as annoying as Reese Witherspoon and her little pooch in a pink outfit in "Legally Blonde". And the most surprising moment was when a policeman talked to Wendy in a very remarkable way. But you have to discover that yourself when you watch this engaging and charming film.
P.S. If the script "The many and the few" really exists, I hope it'll become a real film. The fragments of text that were read, sounded intriguing!
More reviews here : movie-freak.be -
Dakota Fanning continues to prove herself to be a solid actress, and that is clearly evident in Please Stand By. I felt she did an admirable job of portraying some of the things that can come with autism. There were only a couple of scenes where I felt she might have let the mannerisms drop a little too much, but otherwise she was spot on. However, I do struggle at times with movies like this, because I wonder how much research they put into the realities of being on the spectrum. It can often seem they steer too dramatically into the extremes of the disorder, and also that they infantilize those who are dealing with it. But I'm no expert, so I suppose if those who know more than me have not raised an uproar about this film, then it's probably fine. I did appreciate that they made the main character extremely relatable and likable, so we were able to quickly get on her side. You can understand where she's coming from and you want to see her succeed.
I had fun with the journey that she goes on throughout the movie, and I appreciated the relative simplicity of her goal. I've never been a huge fan of Star Trek, but I connected with all the references, and liked how the story she had written was used as a parallel to her own life experiences. There are some tough-to-watch moments in the movie, and you certainly lose faith in humanity a couple of times because of the ridiculous behavior of certain individuals. Aside from those scenes, though, Please Stand By is a heartwarming story. The end is a strange mix of disappointing and uplifting, and I thought that played well, even if it seemed her reaction to how things were resolved was a bit out-of-character. There were a few other minor things that bugged me, because I detected story inconsistencies that would make no sense for someone who lived such a regimented life, but I had to let those things go because they were nitpicks at best. Despite its flaws, Please Stand By was a solid movie and one that sheds a positive light on people with autism, which is always a good thing. -
bond_354528 January 2018The movie seems good. It's a classic story where the main character is autistic and struggles through life. The character presentation has been done excellent. Cast fits the characters perfectly. Dakota Fanning does an excellent job portraying an autistic woman in a young age. A feel good movie to watch and enjoy in free time.
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suripat30 January 2018A very nice take on an autistic person life, dreams, difficulties. I watched with pleasure and every scene was so convincing. I simply cannot understand why this movie does not have higher scores. The Star Trek stuff was cleverly inserted into context and as a fan of science and space fiction that could not be better. Go watch it, if, as a Vulcan, you don't mind shedding some tears!
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lor_22 January 2018Similar to the Asperger's Syndrome film "Adam" of a decade earlier, "Please Stand By" tells of a 21-year-old autistic woman thrust into the sudden need to be self-sufficient, styled in the format of a traditional Road Movie. Quality casting and acting fail to overcome scripting issues that result in a timid, unfortunately bland result.
At the advance screening I attended, in the audience discussion following the showing a viewer disparaged the movie by comparing it to a Hallmark Channel TV movie. That was a bit harsh, but it did suffer from being well-meaning but low impact.
Dakota Fanning exquisitely plays the young girl living at a communal house run by ever-patient Earth Mother Toni Collette, with her regimented daily routine clearly set out, right down to which sweater she must wear each day of the week. Cutesy gimmick dominating the film in Michael Golamco's facile script has her obsessed with her 400-plus-page screenplay to be completed for a Paramount Pictures writing competition.
In order to meet an impending deadline she sets out by bus from Oakland to Los Angeles to hand in her script, and scripter Golamco, a graduate of the "Grimm" TV series, piles on the problems she encounters on the road. Notably she is robbed by a mean-spirited couple, replete with baby in tow, and even suffers a concussion from a crash after being befriended by wonderful Marla Gibbs, out shopping via Shuttle Bus from her retirement home.
The real issues underlying the care for an autistic relative are brought to light by the role of Dakota's older sister, very well-played by Alice Eve in a departure from her usual "too beautiful for words" casting. However, I was heavily distracted by the sister act in that even in home movies of the duo as young kids, all I could think of was Dakota and her real-life acting sister Elle, the logical if too obvious casting for such a picture, in which Elle would have gotten Dakota's role here.
Self-indulgence by Golamco is fatal to the overall effect of the picture, especially in many contrived scenes aiming too blatantly at warmth, typified by an otherwise amusing conversation in the Klingon language (!) between Fanning and an ultra-kindly and far, far from realistic cop who was chasing her. Ultimately the semi-happy, upbeat ending, a bit in the "Go the distance" cliche vein of Stallone's "Rocky" ties the bow on this ephemeral package.
It suffered from what I term the Indie Syndrome, as over the past four decades the notion of Indie Films has been raised on a pedestal and marketed to an audience as an alternative to commercial cinema. Certainly indies such as the first films of artists like John Sayles, Spike Lee, Kathryn Bigelow, Wayne Wang and the Coen Bros. made their mark, but the originality and even quirkiness of these fledgling efforts of 30-plus years back have given way to a mundane sameness in recent "indie" product. "Please Stand By" is typical: attracting top talent to play meaty roles for the love of their art (rather than big pay-days) in a resulting film that is minor and low-key almost on purpose. The pretentiousness of a "Big Picture" is thankfully lacking, but also is the demonstration of importance. -
joanacatbagan12 March 2019This movie is so subtle that it draws you in, right from the start. It gets a little slow at some points and can even be a little predictable. But it pays off with some good humor and good drama. Dakota fanning did such a wonderful job, I think autistic rep is so so important and I hope the autistic community approves of this portrayal because there's nothing worse than bad rep.
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Thanos_Alfie30 June 2021"Please Stand By" is a Comedy - Drama movie in which we watch a young autistic woman trying very hard to submit her manuscript to a "Star Trek" writing competition. We follow her to her journey from running away from her caregiver to submitting her manuscript.
I liked this movie because despite its very simple plot it's still interesting and enjoyable. I believe that it's a nice movie to watch and spend your time with. The direction which was made by Ben Lewin was good and he presented with a nice way a very sensitive subject. The interpretation of Dakota Fanning who played as Wendy was very good and I believe that she made the difference on this movie. Another interpretation that has to be mentioned was Alice Eve's who played as Audrey. All in all, I have to say that "Please Stand By" is a nice movie to spend your time with and I recommend you watching it because I am sure you will learn also something from it. -
cuecuite8 February 2018Being autistic myself I had a high expectation for this film. And they totally nailed it! Its an awesome performance, the idea is brilliant and I like they did not exaggerate her aspie traits. If I would have to complain of one thing, it would be about the scene about the session with the carer about forcing her to look into her eyes for some seconds, because its a type of therapy that is not so accepted by the autistic community and it seeemed a bit sad. I would also would have liked to see her stim a bit more (like humming, rocking, pressing a squishy toy, etc for self regulation) but that is ok, many people on the spectrum do not stim that is so noticeable. For all those who have never known any autistics or ever had communication issues, sensory processing issues and overload it will be a difficult story to contextualize, but it really is a big adventure! And in the end I personally loved it, it was fun and sweet and endearing.
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Please Stand By (2017) This is a comedy drama film about a young Asperger syndrome, autistic woman who runs away from her caregiver in an attempt to submit her manuscript to a Star Trek writing competition. It stars Dakota Fanning and received mixed reviews, while doing poorly at the box office. Some blame its lack of authenticity was cause for the poor reviews. It is not as much its lack of authenticity, but more likely its lack of risks that lead to the reviews. The film may just be a little too upbeat for the subject matter. Although, not a bad film, it just didn't have any real substance.
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The ableist perspective this was written and performed in was too much to keep watching after only about 20 minutes. I'm autistic and while I know some do struggle in the ways presented in the main character, I'm tired of it being presented as this is what a majority of autistic lives look like.
But you can also tell this was written from a very problematic ableist perspective of what they think being autistic is like. There's just too much ableism to pick apart in just 20 minutes without me needing to label this review as having spoilers. Just realize if you like(d) this movie you might want to look into what ableism means and start connecting with many more autistic people that don't fit the stereotypes that you know if you don't find this depiction problematic in any way. Stereotypes like this are why I didn't get diagnosed until I was 39 years old.
Also note in my experience most melt downs don't happen unless other people are trying to manipulate, confuse, abuse, or take away my autonomy. When I try to defend myself and others quickly jump back being problematic that's when I crumble and become disoriented. I've also noticed this in many other autistics I've connected with. Yet so many with ableism about autistic experience (even other autistics with internalized ableism), view meltdowns as more self absorbed temper tantrums. And that's just not true a majority of the time if you actually understand what being autistic is. Something that's taken me years to sort through, even though I'm autistic myself.
Really disappointed in this movie. Sadly it was recommended by another autistic that clearly has some internalized ableism to sort through. -
Dakota Fanning is Wendy in San Francisco. She is autistic. Her mother is dead and her older sister doesn't think she can deal with her. So Wendy lives in a group home with very strict rules for personal behavior, and Wendy has a job at a Cinnabon store.
Wendy is smart and creative and a big Star Trek fan. When a contest comes up for writing a script she works hard bit will have difficulty getting it to the studio in Los Angeles by the deadline. So she has to get creative and that launches a big hunt for her.
Fanning is superb in the role, her character experiences a lot of growth and at the end it seems that she and her sister will be able to work things out.
Good movie, I found it on Amazon streaming. -
bkmbdolphin8 April 2020I think if people think that Dakota didn't do a good job portraying a Autistic person, and how they think they can't do different things that Happen in their lives, then they------DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW ANYONE WITH AUTISM OR ASPBERGERS.(SP)/ WHEN YOU DO KNOW,------ YOU UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY. I THINK SHE DID A EXCEPTIONAL ROLE AS HER CHARACTOR. WHO IS GOING ON THIS TRIP TO WIN MONEY SO HER SISTER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF HER ANYMORE. WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG AND DIDN'T UNDERSTAND YOURSELF, THEN GO.TO.A.PLACE THAT TEACHES YOU,(ABOUT LIFE, HOW TO ACT, ETC)/ THEN IT HAS TO BE VERY HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO BELEIVE THAT YOU ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE TO DO THINGS THEY DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO, BECAUSE OF WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER. I'D HATE TO BE IN THAT POSITION. COULD BE WHY SHE RELATED TO MR..SPOCK, IN STAR TREK, SO WELL. (IT'S HARD FOR HIM TO EX PRESS HIS EMOTIONS.) YOUR TAUGHT IN COLLEGE *NOT* TO LABEL SOMEONE, BUT THE FIRST THING *EVERYONE* DOES IS LABEL THEM, AND MAKE MISTAKES BY BELEIVING THEIR NO BETTER THAN THE LABEL THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN. AND ALL DISABILITIES PEOPLE.ARE LIKE THIS, BUT MOST HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER! I'VE WORKED WITH MOST TYPES OF DISABILITIES AND HAVE SEEN IT MYSELF. BUT WHEN I TOLD PEOPLE, WHAT A *LABELED PERSON* HAD DONE....THEY'D JUST SAY " IT WAS JUST A "COINCIDENCE ". THAT PERSON *CANT* DO THAT! I CALLED B.S.!. I HATED LABELS! IT'S LIKE BEING PREJUDICED! ANYWAY,SHE'D DOES A FANTASTIC JOB,.SO KUDOS TO YOU Ms. DAKOTA!.. WONDERFUL JOB! & I LOVE THE STORY! BETTER THAN A HALLMARK STYLE MOVIE! 5/5!
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narniaru15 June 2021I enjoyed it and had a smile on my face throughout. Even in the tough moments you know it will work out because it's that kind of film and that's okay. Fanning is especially good and highly believable as being Autistic and a Trekkie. If you want a sunshiney movie, this is a good one.
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davebuttomer16 February 2021I have mad respect for Dakota Fanning, and thought her acting in this film was really well done. There are some pretty funny moments as well. An uplifting story, and Pete steals the show.
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oudo2no28 October 2019Chanced upon the film on a cable channel in Japan & was drawn into it - hook, line & sinker - by the Star Trek references. Walked away from it, choking back oncoming sobs, as I tried to keep the floodgates from breaking - so proud to see Wendy overcoming adversity.
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derek240729 January 2018Not sure which movie the two who slated this movie watched but I thought Dakota was as great. I've lived with an autistic person and it's so difficult to get it right because they are all different. This is a good feel movie and was directed perfectly.
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fionaleongziyi2 December 2018I like how this movie helps me understand more about people with autism, how they felt and how they react. I really like Wendy's character - ambitious, afraid but courageous at the same time. I'm impressed by the acting of Dakota Fanning, it is very real and good. The plot is very interesting and emotional, with fun twist, i.e writing competition of Star Trek which really complements the movie plot. Overall, I like it!
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kakatara4 February 2018Since I have autism, I'm constantly on the lookout for stories about people like me. On account that I believe that stories about the life of people with autism tell me more about autism than diagnostic manuals. That is, of couse, if the stories are told by the subject in question, or close to a personal account. This movie appears to neither. It made me angry a lot of times, how close the character was to prejudiced images of asperger. And how the strangeness of the main character was told in relation to normality. For instance, since it is quite common that neither greeting or hugging comes easily for poeple with autsim, when the woman supervising the home (who called Wendy patient, is he ther her doctor or therapist?!!) uses a whistle to greet and som strange pseudo hug in place of a hug, I don't feel that these rituals are for the sake of Wendy. As much as they are to comfort people around her, that need her to act according to nomalized rituals to feel empathy towards her. So if I where to think of it a some sort of feelgood movie, it would be for people with friends or family of people with autism, but then again, if a feelgood movie reproduce prejudice, then the good only feels good as long as you are in the dark, of that you are partaking i reproducing values that can be percieved as degrading. Of course this is my personal opinion from an autistic perspective. I think that people making movies about autism should be read or viewed by people with the diagnosis, since this movie unfortunately is quite more common than uncommon
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MissTea9112 July 2018If you're not a Star Trek fan, don't be put off, it's a minor sub plot. Great film which shows some of the struggles autistic people suffer everyday but with a lighthearted take. Worth the watch!
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felipepm1710 July 2019It's a sweet movie. It's not super pretentious and it stays grounded the whole time.
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zkonedog3 February 2018After seeing the trailer for "Please Stand By", I was immediately intrigued. As a Trekkie, that angle hooked me right away, and the collection of acting talent and interesting story ideas seemed to be a good mix. I was disappointed to see the film come to streaming so quickly after basically no theatrical run. After watching, however, I now better understand that while not being a bad film by any means, "Please Stand By" is just "okay" from beginning to end, doing nothing to really make itself special in the process.
For a basic plot summary, this film tells the story of Wendy (Dakota Fanning), an autistic young woman with a talent for writing and a love of Star Trek. She discovers that Paramount Pictures is holding a Trek script contest, and when she is unable to mail her entry due to her condition, she decides to light out for Los Angeles by herself (and dog Pete, of course). While sister Audrey (Alice Eve) and therapist Scottie (Toni Collette) try to track her down, Wendy experiences life outside her sheltered existence for the first time.
Like I said, this isn't a bad movie in any sense. At its core, it is a good story of an autistic young woman trying to understand her place in the world and figure out what her life is all about. Fanning's portrayal of this is excellent, without which the entire film would have indeed been tough to get through. She carries most of the load here, and does it admirably. You'll be rooting for her and every part of her quest, so at least there is somewhat of a viewer investment present.
The problem, and I can't quite put my finger on it, is that nothing in "Please Stand By" really stands out (again, aside from Fanning's performance). It hits all the beats it should and tries to drum up as much emotion as possible, but it just feels hollow (as if I were feeling for the characters because I knew I should be, not because I actually was). The whole film just lacked that ability to make viewers truly feel like a lot is at stake.
Not helping matters is that, oddly, the Star Trek angle to this film isn't nearly as fleshed out as it needed to be. This was a key part of the story, but I felt like it was used more as a plot device than anything really meaningful. Instead of her Trek fandom being the key to her journey, it only seems to be the catalyst for her journey to LA by herself. It just felt like an odd juxtaposition all the way through.
Overall, I now understand why "Please Stand By" did not get a big theatrical release. It just doesn't offer enough of anything new to the viewing public. A similar movie (and one that did a much better job) is "Rain Main" starring Tom Cruise & Dustin Hoffman. That movie had truly memorable moments regarding how someone deals with a personality disorder. This one, though, just hits the standard beats only to find those hits to be mostly hollow instead of meaningful.