Movie review: Life story of former UVU wrestler Ben Kjar is a ‘Standout’
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- “Standout: The Ben Kjar Story” is a movie based on the life of the former Utah Valley University wrestler.
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- Former UVU wrestler Ben Kjar.
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- Ben Kjar, right, is shown during his wrestling career at Utah Valley University.
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- Former Utah Valley All-American wrestler Ben Kjar speaks at a ceremony where was inducted into the USA Wrestling Utah Hall of Fame on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
It can’t be said any more directly: “Standout: The Ben Kjar Story” is a must-see movie documentary. Director Tanner Christensen, son of prominent filmmaker T.C. Christensen, who produced the project with Kjar himself, constructed a masterpiece.
Standout isn’t just a feel-good story about Ben Kjar overcoming tremendous obstacles to find huge success in the sport of amateur wrestling, it’s also a story of the immense goodness of so many in his village that not only accepted Kjar regardless of his physical deformities and challenges, but guided and pushed him to greatness, not only as an elite wrestler but a truly remarkable person that would, and still does, make a huge positive impact to everyone in his orbit.
Viewers of this documentary will experience a roller coaster of emotions. Be prepared to both laugh and cry and to be both angry at the cruelty that exists in people, but also revel in the raw goodness that also occupies the human experience.
Kjar was born with Crouzon Syndrome which is a genetic disorder that causes cranial deformations which include wide and bulging eyes, a pronounced lower jaw and overcrowded teeth. Those with Crouzon Syndrome can also experience breathing problems, intracranial pressure which can cause headaches, and even hearing loss in some cases.
While an infant, Kjar underwent surgeries to lessen some of the impact of Crouzon Syndrome. Told by doctors that Kjar should avoid certain physical activities and sports, his parents would have none of it. In the end Kjar played hockey, football, basketball eventually gravitating to the sport of wrestling.
This is where this amazing support system comes into play starting with his parents Stana and Scott Kjar who surrounded him with love and support. Kjar’s siblings and cousins brought additional acceptance while his uncle Shandell Smoot became his junior high wrestling coach.
Kjar’s initial foray into wrestling had plenty of crushing losses but over time Smoot’s excellent coaching combined with Kjar’s incredible perseverance, victories on the mat are achieved and Kjar’s confidence grows.
But well before the successes on the wrestling mat, Kjar suffered through instances of bullying. One excruciating experience came as a small child, when his parents, wanting him to have some independence, sent him alone into a grocery store to buy a candy bar. While waiting in line, a man ushered his own two children away from Kjar as if Kjar’s condition was contagious while calling him a monster.
Heartbroken with this encounter, when Kjar got home he locked himself in the bathroom and contemplated taking a razor to his face. His Mom finally got into the bathroom just before Kjar could do harm to himself. Kjar told his Mom he just wanted to fit in but she told him rather than trying to fit in, he needed to stand out which truly changed his outlook on life.
It wasn’t that Kjar didn’t suffer his fair share of setbacks, along with being a victim of cruelty. Even now, people on social media will spit venom his way about his physical appearance.
But there are also plenty of triumphs and each one could have been made into a feature movie, much like what was done with his friend and rival Anthony Robles, who born with just one leg won a NCAA wrestling title which was chronicled in the movie “Unstoppable.” Their semifinal match was addressed in “Standout” and showed that sometimes the actual result of the match pales in comparison to the journey to get to that moment.
One also doesn’t have to be a fan of wrestling to enjoy “Standout”. There is a love story that again could be a major motion picture in itself. While at Utah Valley University, Kjar meets LaCol Grant, who like Kjar is her own positive force of nature. The two instantly fall in love but no love story is without its challenges. LaCol’s mother wasn’t so keen on Kjar at first, and there are also doubts, along with subsequent heartbreaking trials, over starting a family.
It also must be said that Tanner Christensen did a marvelous job with the documentary’s direction. The documentary mixes interviews, home videos of Kjar with his family and friends, Kjar’s own narration, along with scenes with actors that especially concentrate on the pivotal moments in Kjar’s life journey.
Colton Fielding, a five year-old that also has Crouzon Syndrome, plays the part of a young Ben Kjar in many of these scenes. The scenes in the grocery store and in the bathroom showed that this young man has some acting chops.
One particularly enjoyable aspect of the film was super imposing the present Ben Kjar in these scenes as an observer of his own past life. When his younger self disarms a bully with humor, his older self gives his younger self a high-five.
Lastly, it would be hard for any viewer of this movie documentary not being emotionally moved. And Kjar’s parents give a remarkable road map to guide other parents with children that have special needs. Perhaps the most important thing they did for Ben besides giving him their unconditional love was to allow him to risk and sometimes fail. And by doing so, it allowed him to thrive and be a beacon of light to so many others.
Preece’s Final Grade: A+.
