Standing Up, Falling Down (2019)

We loved this comedy about Scott, a failed comedian returning to his parents' Long Island home and befriending an alcoholic dermatologist. It may not sound funny, but the sparkling script benefits from the comic timing of Ben Schwartz's Scott and Billy Crystal as the doctor. Grace Gummer as Scott's sister (they constantly insult each other), Debra Monk as his sweet mother, and Kevin Dunn as his taciturn dad also add to the fun. Earlier this year, some writer predicted an Oscar nomination for Crystal for this. He didn't get one but it's excellent work for both him and Schwartz.

This is director Matt Ratner's feature directorial debut and the second feature screenplay for writer Peter Hoare.

The only part of the soundtrack that I can find online are two songs on Apple Music and/or Spotify. The credited composer is David Schwartz (no relation, as far as I can tell).

Ben Schwartz has been working since I wrote about him in This Is Where I Leave You, but I haven't seen any of it. The same goes for Crystal, who was last blogged for Parental Guidance. After I wrote about Gummer (one of Meryl Streep's daughters) for The Homesman, she was in ten episodes of The Newsroom and three of Good Girls Revolt, among others. Monk has had dozens of roles, notably to me as Katie Sipowicz in 17 episodes of NYPD Blue, seven as Louise O'Malley in Grey's Anatomy, and 21 as lead oboist Betty Cragdale in Mozart in the Jungle, as well as a part in This Is Where I Leave You. Dunn is also a prolific actor who credits include the movie Nixon (1995), 35 episodes of Samantha Who?, and 54 with the Emmy-winning ensemble of Veep. David Schwartz has scored lots of TV, some of which I've seen.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics and audiences are remaining on their feet, averaging 87 and 86%, respectively. In the mood for a comedy, Jack and I rented it on iTunes on May 4 and it's available on other outlets as well.