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Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz Are Unlikely Pals in 'Standing Up, Falling Down' at the Spring KCET Cinema Series on February 11

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Q&A immediately following with director Matt Ratner, and producers Chris Mangano and John Hermann.​

After four years of chasing his stand-up comedy dream in Los Angeles, 34-year-old Scott Rollins (Ben Schwartz) has crashed and burned. Left with little money and a fledgling “career,” Scott has no choice but to regroup and return home to his parents' house in Long Island. While trying to figure out what to do next, Scott pines after his ex, Becky Brookes (Eloise Mumford), a successful photographer who has since married a former mutual friend. On a night out at the bar, Scott strikes up an unlikely friendship with an eccentric dermatologist, Marty (Billy Crystal), who has regrets of his own. Marty and Scott both help each other find the courage to face the failures in their lives.

Director Matt Ratner stated, “At its heart are two deep and complex characters, buoyed by a dynamic supporting cast. This film is about real people. And real people are messy. They are wonderful, and they are terrible, and most consistently, we mess up. Scott and Marty mess up all the time, in ways both trivial and profound. 'Standing Up, Falling Down' focuses on the different ways we deal with regret and the ability (or tragic inability) to correct life’s missteps in ways I find both compelling and trenchant. What is easy in life isn’t always what is right, and being a grown up is knowing the difference.”

The film screens at 7 p.m. at ArcLight Cinemas in Sherman Oaks. Immediately following the screening, Deadline's chief film critic Pete Hammond, who can also be seen on KCET’s Must See Movies, will moderate a Q&A session with director Matt Ratner, and producers Chris Mangano and John Hermann. “Standing Up, Falling Down” will be released in theaters and on demand by Shout Factory on Feb. 21, 2020.

Deadline.com is the presenting sponsor for the spring season of the KCET Cinema Series, which runs from February 11 through March 31. The Arclight Cinemas Sherman Oaks is located at 15301 Ventura Blvd. and nearby parking is available. To learn more about the series, call (201) 747-5238.

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