Watch The Stand In

The Stand In is a 2020 comedy-drama movie directed by Jamie Babbit and starring Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jes Austell, and Michael Zegen. The film follows the story of Candy Black, a struggling Hollywood actress, and Paula, her long-standing stand-in. Candy Black (Drew Barrymore) is a once famous actress whose career has hit rock bottom. Frustrated due to her hectic lifestyle and lack of new and interesting job opportunities, Candy has recently been arrested for tax evasion. Upon her release, she learns about a job opportunity: a Broadway play about Arthur Miller's After the Fall. However, the job stipulates that she must improve her bad reputation if she wants to play the lead.

This is where Paula (Sarah Jes Austell) comes in. Paula is Candy's stand-in and has been by her side for many years. Paula has always been Candy's confidante, but she has grown tired of her lifestyle, and when Candy is arrested, she decides to break away from her. However, Candy is in trouble and needs Paula to stand in for her one more time. With the help of a makeover and a healthy daily routine, Paula soon starts to feel and look like Candy herself. She is even mistaken for Candy when Candy takes time to attend rehab.

With the two women assuming different personas and trading places, things start to unravel in unexpected ways. While Candy is in rehab, Paula is given the opportunity to play a major role in the Broadway play. Soon after, Paula starts to realize her potential and the talents she never knew she had.

The movie follows the lives of Candy and Paula, who in their own ways, re-discover their passion, purpose, and dreams. Drew Barrymore's portrayal of Candy is brilliant, and she brings the character to life in a way that is both funny and poignant. Her portrayal of Candy's ego and arrogance is a delight to watch. Sarah Jes Austell's portrayal of Paula is also brilliant. She is funny, confident, and determined to make a name for herself in the industry. She captures the essence of Paula's character with precision and elegance. Both actresses have excellent chemistry, and their interactions and banter are delightful.

Apart from the central characters, The Stand In also features a strong supporting cast. Michael Zegen stars as Seth, Candy's agent, and his performance is equally impressive. He captures the real essence of a struggling agent, who is trying to keep afloat and stay relevant in the industry. The film also features T.J. Miller as Rick, a young director hired to direct Candy's play. His performance is impressive, and he captures the real essence of a director who is trying to create something beautiful on a shoestring budget.

In terms of cinematography, The Stand In is beautiful to look at. The movie is set in a beautiful location, and the camera angles are beautiful, capturing the essence of the characters and the buildings they inhabit.

To conclude, The Stand In is a delightful comedy-drama that is sure to entertain and provoke thought. It is funny, well-written, well-acted, and a joy to watch. The movie's underlying themes of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and redemption are beautifully portrayed. It is a highly recommended movie, and one that audiences will thoroughly enjoy.

The Stand In is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 38.