Standing Up (2013)

Two kids befriend each other after being left stripped nude in a lake as the victims of an immature summer camp prank. They run away from camp and for three days learn more about each other than they've ever known before.

Director:

D.J. Caruso

Writers:

D.J. Caruso (screenplay), Brock Cole (novel)

Stars:

Chandler Canterbury, Annalise Basso, Radha Mitchell

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chandler Canterbury	...	Howie
Annalise Basso	...	Grace
Radha Mitchell	...	Meg
Val Kilmer	...	Hofstadder
Kate Maberly	...	Margo Cutter
Charles Carroll	...	Mr. Carlson
Alix Lapri	...	Tiwana (as Alexus Lapri Geier)
Deidra Shores	...	Lydia
Adrian Kali Turner	...	Calvin
Justin Tinucci	...	Butch
Keith Flippen	...	Mr. Russell
William J. Harrison	...	Bryce
Jared Kemmerling	...	Murphy
Daniel Caruso	...	Arnold
Blake Cooper Griffin	...	Eric (as Blake Griffin)

Storyline

Based on one of the most beloved Young Adult novels of all time: Two kids are stripped naked and left together on an island in a lake - victims of a vicious summer camp prank; But rather than have to return to camp and face the humiliation, they decide to take off, on the run together. What follows is a three day odyssey of discovery and self-discovery.

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Plot Keywords:

stripped naked | child driving a car | missing child | boy wears eyeglasses | girl wears eyeglasses | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements including bullying, and for brief smoking and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was a longtime passion project for Caruso, who first read the book in 1990 but didn't start developing the project with producer Ken Aguado until 2000.

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Goofs

Space camp is located in Huntsville, AL, not Houston, TX.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Grace: [narrating] I read about this monkey that the Russian government sent into outer space. They figured that after a few weeks it would die because the heat from the sun would become unbearable. They said the journey would prove to be invaluable to the advancement of the space program. I wondered how they chose that monkey - that specific one. And why, if he was so special, would they put him in a situation where he could die? If that monkey knew what they were choosing him for, would ...
[...]

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Connections

Features Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

User Reviews

Surprisingly sweet and good-natured for a DJ Caruso movie.

Based on Brock Cole's "The Goats", Standing up is the story of two geeky kids, a girl and a boy, who are the victims of a mean holiday camp prank. Stripped naked and left marooned on an island, the boy and girl are left to their own devices and decide to leave the camp and embark on an adventure on their own.

I like that the main characters are geeks and outsiders, and they are ably played by Chandler Canderbury and Annalise Basso. They are experienced TV actors despite their young age, and the chemistry between them is good. I certainly could identify with the awkward feeling of being a lonely young outsider searching for yourself and for companionship.

I like the general theme of the film, that you can learn from all your experiences, good and bad, and discover yourself as a result. I think this is a good message, especially for young adults. However, the world view is a bit too optimistic, the kids never really are in real danger despite their dangerous decision to live on their own for a few days, and the lack of any real antagonist means the film lacks an exciting edge.

Nevertheless, it is a good-natured film without nudity or swearing, and works well as family entertainment. Personally, when it comes to coming-of-age movies, I prefer Stand By Me.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 August 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Goat Island

Filming Locations:

Lake Chatuge, Towns County, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

AR Films, Aldamisa Entertainment, Seven Star Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1