Comedian George Carlin once said, "inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist," which is the perfect descriptor for Ben Schwartz's character Scott Rollins in Shout! Studio's dramatic comedy Standing Up, Falling Down. Much like Carlin, Schwartz is also a comedian with his roots grounded in improvisational comedy stemming from classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. To many, he's known as the charismatic Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on Parks and Recreation, along with most recently voicing the energetic titular character in Sonic the Hedgehog. Rarely has the actor dipped his toes into drama, but Standing Up, Falling Down gives him free rein to show off his range alongside another comedic legend, Billy Crystal. After initially debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival last year, it was soon picked up by Shout! Studios and is gearing up to release this Friday. Even though its story treads on familiar comedic territory, Standing Up, Falling Down finds an abundance of success in its two charming leads.
Directed by Matt Ratner, the film centers on Schwartz's 34-year-old character Scott, a failed comedian who finds, after four years of attempting to get his career off the ground in Los Angeles, that it'd be better to move back home to Long Island, New York with his parents. While reconnecting with friends, Scott soon comes to the realization that the people he used to know have all grown up and matured, with hopeful late-night hangouts quickly transitioning into early call-it-a-nights. This awareness becomes especially prevalent in regard to his ex-girlfriend Becky (Eloise Mumford) who, much to his chagrin, has already married and settled down. But, one fateful night at the bar puts him in the presence of an eccentric dermatologist named Marty (Crystal), a man dealing with some regrets of his own. The two find solace in each other's company, putting them on a path to, hopefully, addressing the failures in their respective lives.
Much like Carlin's quote at the beginning of this review, Scott's character is cynical from the get-go. But, his cynicism covers his character like a rock-solid candy shell. Once that melts away, his passion for pursuing his dream and expressive personality begin to shine through. Although he didn't find success in Los Angeles, with his father reiterating that fact whenever he can, he's still hopeful that his career will find its wings. Schwartz effortlessly embodies this character, taking someone who appears irritating and unlikeable on the outside and adding enough layers to make him appealing to a viewer. You long to see him succeed in the end and worry for him when he strays off the beaten path.
These emotions come into play when Crystal's Marty comes into the picture. Right off the bat, it's clear that Marty's struggling to stand on his own two feet, literally and figuratively. Years of heartbreak coupled with an inability to reconcile decisions he made in the past and an estranged relationship with his son collide into a drinking problem and a less-than-stellar reputation amongst family and friends. But, the beauty of Standing Up, Falling Down is that it brings these two characters together when they truly need each other most. Each fills a void lost by the other, and ultimately, the film asks the audience to question if that dependency is healthy or not.
Simultaneously, that beauty is also the film's greatest blemish. Its story is familiar to the dramatic comedy genre, and one that's very rarely shaken up. The script uses familiar plot devices to push its story forward, but thankfully, both Crystal and Schwartz find interesting depth with their characters in every scene, elevating the words in front of them to a new level that stands out from the rest of the genre. The chemistry that they have is infectious, and they very clearly relish in these roles. They're what makes Standing Up, Falling Down investing, even when its story borders on forgettable.
In the end, Standing Up, Falling Down is all the better because of Schwartz and Crystal. Their comedic delivery is effortless and their personalities beautifully mesh together. Even as the story becomes more somber, they dive into dramatic elements with ease, turning this story's familiar plot into an interesting meditation on regret and the way it takes its toll. It may not have shaken up the formula, but it certainly showcased phenomenal performances from its leads.
Standing Up, Falling Down is now playing in theaters and available On Demand. It is 91 minutes long and not rated, but is intended for mature audiences.