Standing Up, also known as Goat Island, is a 2013 American coming-of-age film directed by D.J. Caruso and based on the 1987 novel The Goats by Brock Cole. The movie follows two eleven-year-old kids, Howie (Chandler Canterbury) and Grace (Annalise Basso), who are stripped naked and left on an island in the middle of a lake by their fellow campers as part of a cruel prank.
Rather than returning to the camp and facing further embarrassment, the two decide to flee, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and liberation. The isolated island serves as a catalyst for their personal growth and they learn to rely on each other, realizing that they possess inner strength and resilience.
Their odyssey of self-discovery takes them on a three-day adventure through the wilderness, where they encounter challenges and overcome fears they never knew they had. Along the way, they meet a cast of characters, including a friendly hermit and a runaway teen, who help them along their journey and teach them valuable life lessons.
The movie provides a poignant commentary on bullying, the power of friendship and the importance of self-acceptance, as Howie and Grace learn to stand up for themselves and embrace their true selves. Ultimately, the movie delivers a heartwarming message about the transformative power of friendship, resilience and self-discovery.