Review: 'The Stand In' a Middling, Overwrought Comedy

While it's delightful to see Drew Barrymore back on the big screen again, "The Stand In," while a good idea on paper, doesn't really delight in the way that Drew does. There are some pleasures here and good themes, but it's a bit scattered and unbelievable. That said, it's an over-the-top comedy directed by "But I'm a Cheerleader" Jamie Babbit, so this is unsurprising.

The central conceit of the story is that Barrymore plays America's comedy sweetheart Candy Black, but she's been doing the same shtick for so long ("Hit me where it hurts!" is basically her "I'll be back.") she snaps, and a clip of her lashing out at the actors and crew on the set of her latest movie goes viral. She plummets from grace and her career ends.

Years later she is living in her mansion, dowdy and doing carpentry, and falling in love with a fellow carpenter she's never met. When she's ordered to spend three months in rehab, she hires her long-time stand in to be her replacement because they inexplicably look identical. (Something no one really mentions.) Her stand in decides to do it, but only if Candy agrees to do one more film so she can actually go back to work as her double. Because of her good behavior in rehab, the Stand-In gets out early and is suddenly on a redemption tour, endearing "Candy Black" to audiences once again. As a result, Candy and her Stand In agree that she will continue to pretend to be Candy, and they'll split the proceeds.

But because that wasn't enough plot for the movie, the Stand In starts to go all single white female and destroy Candy's life – or what's left of it.

There are some interesting ideas here about fame, attention, expectation, and regret. Some of it works and some of it doesn't. Barrymore is best when she's playing the disaffected Candy Black, contemplating where her career and actions went wrong, and finally admitting what she really wants out of life. When she plays her stand-in, she puts on a weird, breathy, high-pitched voice that simply sounds like she's putting on a weird, breathy, high-pitched voice. It's not natural or realistic. It's amusing to watch her play someone playing another version of her character, but it's fairly superficial.

That said, the movie is diverting enough for a mild night in, although the vulgarity gives it an unnecessary R-rating, when a PG-13 comedy would have been more accessible.

The supporting cast is good, if underused, with such names as Ellie Kemper playing a disgruntled co-star, Holland Taylor as Candy's long-time director, and TJ Miller playing a straight role for once as her manager.

Overall, it's a cute '90s-style throwback with a big concept and fair execution. Drew might be busy on her talk show these days, but with a better script (lets get back to her "Fever Pitch" days) she might find her big screen exposure rising once again.

"The Stand-In" arrives on VOD and digital Dec 11th.