Stars:
James Van Der Beek,
Jon Abrahams,
Mena Suvari,
Amy Adams,
Adam Garcia
Director:
Matthew Cole Weiss
Summary: Coming-of-age film STANDING STILL centres on the premarital rituals of lovebirds Elise and Michael, whose alcohol-fuelled stag and hen dos stir up a well of old anxieties, resentments, and of course, attractions...
A cast of talented beauties populates the screen for STANDING STILL, a coming-of-age film for the post-college, pre-mortgage set. Some notable alums of the teen culture sphere--among them, James Van Der Beek (the title character of TV hit DAWSON'S CREEK), Mena Suvari (the teen temptress of AMERICAN BEAUTY and sweet square of the AMERICAN PIE series), and Coln Hanks (star of teen-com ORANGE COUNTY and TV's ROSWELL)--make up an engaging ensemble of anxiety-ridden pre-yuppies, in limbo between the lackadaisical pleasures of campus life and the responsibilities of marriage and minivans. The story centres on the premarital rituals of lovebirds Elise (Amy Adams) and Michael (Adam Garcia). Lubricated by alcohol, their separate bachelor and bachelorette celebrations drag up old anxieties, resentments, and of course, attractions.
Each character surrounding the engaged pair has his or her own trouble maintaining a successful relationship. Lana (Suvari), a petite blond with an oversize chip on her shoulder, can't seem to date a winner; Pockets (Jon Abrahams) suffers from OCD and a pattern of sending his paramours running for breathing room; best man Rich (Aaron Sanford) is having trouble committing to his long-term girlfriend; hunky actor Simon (Van Der Beek, channelling a Matthew McConaughey cowboy attitude) is addicted to the flirtation game; and Donovan (Ethan Embry) is simply too awkward to attract any action. But it is goth artist Jennifer (Lauren German), playing the bride-to-be's former roommate and lover, who makes the biggest splash, throwing a dollop of doubt into Elise's heart, and causing some emotional, yet humourous, histrionics. The luxuriously lush Los Angeles backdrop adds even more visual pleasure to this breezy dramedy, while a rock-heavy soundtrack of mid '90s hitmakers such as the Dave Matthews Band keeps the energy pulsating throughout.