Please Stand By

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2:25

Please Stand By

PG-13

2018

1h 33m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

70%

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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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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Sheri Linden

The Hollywood Reporter

01/29/2018

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.

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David Edelstein

New York Magazine/Vulture

01/26/2018

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.

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Rex Reed

Observer

01/26/2018

3/4

Touches the viewer with the subtle emotional wallop of a feather brushing against the heart.

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

04/08/2021

2.5/5

A lukewarm movie with its heart in the right place.

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Josh Goller

Spectrum Culture

07/20/2019

2.75/5

Checking off all the autism boxes rather than imbuing an unconventional character with additional depth ultimately dooms Please Stand By to mediocrity.

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Francisco Marinero

El Mundo (Spain)

03/01/2019

2/5

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]

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Dave C

Feb 1

I'm confused by the number of reviews calling this mediocre or mundane, and calling it out as a vehicle to target certain awards above efforts to tell a good story. DF truly delivers an emotive, captivating, and compelling account of an autistic teenager, including the trials and triumphs of assimilation in a world that daunts and confounds as much as it pleases and enables. The supporting performances might not be scripted as the strongest, but the actors deliver well. Overall, it has heart and energy, and I think delivers a good account of autism to those who may not have encountered it, lived with it, or understood it in their daily lives

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sarah l

@SarahJ65 Jan 21

A slow burn but thoroughly enjoyable. Was initially disappointed with the end but changed my mind

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Tammy H

@Tammyhill Dec 30

I loved this film. Great depiction of autism in women played subtly and realistically. It shows the challenges she faces and her resilience in overcoming them. It reminds me a bit of the book - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time. I’d like to see more female autistic characters in movies.

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Phillip D

@phildub May 1

I enjoyed it. Would have been more into it if the main character was played by someone with the disorder depicted in the film. I like the cast. It was deep, and everyone did a great job.

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David C

@Davec26 Apr 22

A funny, poignant and well acted movie that stands out from the generic dross that floods the screen.

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The H

02/19/2025

Actress did a really good job portraying someone on the spectrum, was an interesting movie premise of her wanting to show her script so bad she broke the rules but showcased she can do anything anyone else can do, I can certainly see this not being everyone's cup of tea for a movie, it's not flashy with action scenes, it's not a comedy trying to be funny, it's just about a girl on the spectrum who is overcoming something. Not sad, not funny, just a movie about life.

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Please Stand By: Trailer 1

2:25

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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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