The Stand Up 2012
"Sometimes comedy isn't funny."
When grief derails stand-up comic Zoe Hardwick's career after a heartbreaking loss, he retreats home only to land an unexpected job teaching kindergarten.
Director: David Wexler
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Stand Up (2012) about?
*The Stand Up* follows Zoe Hardwick, a struggling stand-up comic who abandons his career after a devastating loss. Forced to move back home, he reluctantly takes a job teaching kindergarten, where laughter and childhood innocence force him to confront his grief in unexpected ways.
Who directed The Stand Up?
The Stand Up was directed by David Wexler, who crafts a deeply personal story about reinvention and healing.
Who stars in The Stand Up?
The film stars Jonathan Sollis as Zoe Hardwick, Margarita Levieva as his girlfriend's memory, and Aidan Quinn as his father, with strong supporting turns from Arija Bareikis and Julia Dennis.
Is The Stand Up (2012) worth watching?
As an indie drama with a relatable premise, *The Stand Up* offers a refreshingly raw look at loss and renewal. While unrated on IMDb, its themes and intimate storytelling make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven films.
How long is The Stand Up?
The Stand Up (2012) runs for 82 minutes.
About The Stand Up (2012) — A Comedy Turned Heartbreak Leads to an Unexpected Stage
When grief derails stand-up comic Zoe Hardwick's career after a heartbreaking loss, he retreats home only to land an unexpected job teaching kindergarten. Directed by David Wexler, *The Stand Up (2012)* follows Zoe's journey from comedy stages to classrooms, where he must rediscover purpose among wide-eyed children. The drama explores healing, reinvention, and the absurdity of life's twists, all wrapped in a melancholic yet poignant atmosphere. With a cast led by Jonathan Sollis, Margarita Levieva, and Aidan Quinn, this indie gem blends humor's edge with raw emotional stakes.
Wexler's intimate storytelling captures the tension between professional dreams and personal pain, reframing comedy as both a coping mechanism and a distant memory. The film's themes of loss and renewal resonate through Zoe's unconventional path, proving that sometimes the most profound performances come from the unlikeliest stages.