Standing Tall
A volatile teenager and the adults trying to redirect him struggle against a cycle of delinquency, family damage, and institutional failure.
Overview
A troubled youth struggles against the forces trying to save him from himself.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- harrowing
- compassionate
- intense
- serious film night
- French cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a forceful and compassionate social drama anchored by committed performances, though its intense melodrama divided opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Malony's development is shaped by school officials, a juvenile judge, and a special educator attempting to interrupt his cycle of revolt and violence.
The plot focuses on juvenile delinquency, legal intervention, education, and difficult family circumstances rather than melodramatic spectacle.
The overview explicitly presents Malony as caught in a spiral of revolt and violence and describes him as his own worst enemy.
Florence Blaque and Yann seek to save Malony through juvenile justice and social education, framing intervention as both constrained and necessary.
Films like Standing Tall, and why
The 400 Blows
shared coming-of-age drama, juvenile delinquency, and compassionate institutional intervention
Mommy
shared socially grounded adolescent turmoil, troubled family dynamics, and raw emotional realism
The Class
shared French social drama, marginalized youth, and institutions struggling to protect vulnerable people
Movie Details
- Director
- Emmanuelle Bercot
- Release Date
- 2015-05-13
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (495)
Cast
- Rod Paradot
- Catherine Deneuve
- Sara Forestier
- Benoît Magimel
- Diane Rouxel
- Élizabeth Mazev
- Anne Suarez
- Christophe Meynet
- Catherine Salée
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cohen Media Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Standing Tall about?
- A volatile teenager and the adults trying to redirect him struggle against a cycle of delinquency, family damage, and institutional failure.
- What is Standing Tall like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Standing Tall as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Standing Tall violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Standing Tall as moderate.
- What did critics think of Standing Tall?
- Critics broadly found the film a forceful and compassionate social drama anchored by committed performances, though its intense melodrama divided opinion.
- Which films are like Standing Tall?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, Mommy, and The Class.
- How long is Standing Tall?
- Standing Tall runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Standing Tall?
- In United States, Standing Tall streams on Cohen Media Amazon Channel.
