Please Stand By (2017)

My Review

“Please Stand By” is an interesting story of an young, intelligent autistic woman living in a “group home” in San Francisco where she is continually monitored by the group leader. She is an avid “Star Trek” fan, and is writing a 450-page “Trek” script for Paramount Pictures’ screenwriting contest hoping to win the $100,000 prize. One day she just takes off for Los Angeles to drop off the screenplay, and all havoc breaks loose.

Director Ben Lewin (“The Catcher Was A Spy” 2018) does a good job creating this enthralling film with a marvelous screenplay by Michael Golamco, adapted from his own 2008 play of the same name. Dakota Fanning is fantastic in the lead role; she has evolved from a child actor to an adult with a wide performing range. Toni Collette has good chemistry with Fanning as the home group leader. The supporting cast includes Alice Eve, River Alexander, Patton Oswalt, Michael Stahl-David, and Marla Gibbs of TV’s “The Jeffersons” (1975-1985).

The watchable “Please Stand By” is an independent film from Magnolia Pictures, owned by entrepreneur Mark Cuban. It was filmed in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California.