SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Bereamic Awesome Movie

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

PWNYCNY This is one of the greatest movies ever made. Acting - excellent; direction - excellent; story - excellent; screenplay - excellent; art direction - excellent; dramatic intensity - excellent; in short, every element of this movie is excellent. The movie deals with several themes - social pressure, artistic integrity, personal integrity; courage; the demeaning nature of the audition process and the purpose of art. The story is intense; character development - fantastic and the characters both relevant and likable. The music is incredible; and the beautiful Isabel Rose, who is the personification of Kitty Carlisle, and the great actor Andrew McCarthy, who plays a struggling musician, should have won every acting award for their fine performances. What makes this movie even more of a gem is that it is entirely unpretentious, tells a story, has great continuity, is highly watchable - and features the lovely Eartha Kitt. The story is neither corny nor hokey; it's about pursuing your dream. It's about being true to yourself. It's about love, real love - for a person, for art and love of life. This movie will make you laugh and cry; it will make you feel good; it will restore your faith in humanity and maybe in yourself.

smfisher If you are a fan of MGM and RKO musicals of the 30s and 40s, you will get the references in this film and enjoy them!!! If not, but like movies that let you escape, you will love this film. It's sweet, clever, poignant, and funny the way a good Cole Porter or Irving Berlin tune is. I saw this movie last night and had a wonderful time. Go see it!!!!! :)

florafairy At some movie theatres lately, you have the choice of seeing "Love Actually" or "Anything But Love"; ironically, the titles are the exact opposite of what these films are really about. After the depressing fairy-tales of "Love Actually" it was so refreshing to see a film that may not have had the advantages of a big budget or top-name talent, but makes up for it with sincerity. For Billie Golden, the first love in her life is her music, and she finds love with a man who has the same philosophy. How reassuring to find a film that doesn't glorify materialism and appearances and subjugates the love story to the more important life journey of finding one's passion. Miss Isabel Rose certainly looks and acts the part and has a nice little voice; Andrew McCarthy, as already noted, is perfect as the sclubby pianist. The rest of the cast is serviceable (Cameron Bancroft, I thought, was the weakest link). Costumes (particularly Billie's glorious retro fashions) were great and although there is a heck of a lot of distractingly bad ADR, there are some great NYC locations that make this one of the great movie valentines to the Big Apple, along the lines of "Annie Hall." The Technicolor dream sequence was a nice touch. Some interesting, not-oft-heard standards are to be found in the score. The script was awkward at times, particularly in the ending, but overall this is a fine little movie and a great holiday treat.

ternet There aren't too many films made today that have a timeless quality about them. Standard Time is like a classic standard that brings a truly magical and romantic quality to the present generation. It combines a stylish idealism, which the entire film is held up against, right along side a tangible realism. The story unravels subtly, ebbing throughout the captivating cabaret numbers performed by Isabel Rose. Her voice is beautifully pure and unadulterated like the character she plays. She owns her performance like only a writer could. Andrew McCarthy is back with a matured depth, but retains the charm to complete the ensemble brilliantly. You'll be surprised at how well they work within and around the genre they brought back. This movie has the charm of a 60's Barbra Streisand comedy and the vividness of an Ester Williams set using the latest technology to bring back the brilliance of the look of Technicolor. This is a very special film; as with any good timeless classic, it's relevance will reach far into the future. It's hard to believe it's an indie, let alone the writers and director's very first film!