Fear Anxiety and Depression

I've only seen this movie twice, and I remember parts of the story, and the way that it was told. Yes, it is a good movie - but not as good as it should be. The script is good, but it needs some work. I think if the film were re-edited, it might change the entire thing, and make the movie more likable on a large scale (or at least as large a scale as his other movies have had). If you are considering this, go watch Welcome to the Dollhouse...then Storytelling or Happiness, or both. Then watch this. If you take this as an introduction to his work, you'll really have no idea how much better it can be.

Tod Solondz obviously had seen at least a bunch of Woody Allen comedies before 1989 when "Fear, Anxiety, and Depression" was released. His hapless Ira mirrors any number of inept Allen characters. Even Woody's familiar theme of rejection pervades this film. Chase women and they will run, run from women and they will chase is the basic story being told. The characters, including a successful writer played with gusto by Stanley Tucci, are almost all colorful, and the acting is good. What eventually drags the film down is Solondz coming across as more of a caricature of Woody Allen rather than a unique character that could stand on it's own. - MERK

This is Todd Solondz' first big movie before he did `Welcome to the Dollhouse.' There are definitely some scenes, where I'm laughing when I know I shouldn't be, that remind me of `Happiness,' and `Welcome to the Dollhouse.' Other scenes are so much like Woody Allen's `Annie Hall,' it is unmistakable. The main character, Ira, is played by Todd Solondz himself. He's a fearful, nervous playwright hoping to make some real art. Looking for advice, he asks friends to read his play. Not that it would be a bad idea, you know, getting a little input from friends to help along the process, but these are the wrong people to be trusting with that type of decision. Ira is afraid of being considered a bad writer, and his friends are afraid of being honest with him. Jack's character is a great example of a guy who uses words to take the easy way out, pretending his life isn't what it really is.a lie! He sums up his success saying an art critic, Sheila, thinks he is the next Matisse. It turns out that Sheila, played by Anne De Salvo, is one of my favourite characters. When she comes over to check out Jack's art, she says, `I hate to have to be honest with you, but your art is so cliché.' He just wants to be in the Whitney Bi-Annual so he sleeps with her to try and gain her help in being chosen. But even that doesn't work! It made me laugh so hard. Jack is such a loser. Stanley Tucci plays a great, funny role as Donnie. He's always got a different woman with him, and brags about his money when he is around Ira. He's that kind of guy from high school that always succeeds, who has everything, when you know he's not a cool guy and he doesn't deserve it. There are many hints of Solondz' later movies in `Fear, Anxiety and Depression.' It's a funny movie that I would definitely watch again. Some people think it is too similar to a Woody Allen movie to be taken seriously. I think it's awesome because it is close to being an Allen movie, but it is much more honest and dark than Allen ever achieved on film. There are some great explorations of the boundaries of honesty. How sometimes people lie, or withhold information, to make others feel good about themselves, or to take advantage of others. On some level, it probably comes across as another love story comedy, but the script is very thoughtful and intellectual, more than any typical movie.

In our present era, where love is a greedy algorithm (those who already have the most are the only ones who ever get more), Solondz is the best spokesman for the socially oppressed. His movies consistently make me laugh, unlike the usual "popular" Hollywood drivel. I can only hope that he doesn't sell out at least in the near future, as I'm convinced he's the next big thing. (I'm thinking what happened to Susan Seidelman and Amy Heckerling.) I noticed the little things in FAD: camera shots like something out of Godard, artistic spoofs of Magritte, Junk's Frankenstein's bride hair, Janis wearing a cheerleader jacket and eating ice cream, and the blinds that say "Always" and "Late". There is an attention to details overwhelming the flaws and showing the talent. The reality of winning and losing at love may not be changed by Solondz in our era. But he will show us its truth, and that can at least bring us hope.

Dismiss the fact that, in the starring role and as author of the script, Solondz comes off as a Gen-X version of Woody Allen, get past that already-been-done persona and you'll find a fun little film here. Though the film centers on Solondz' character, to his credit as scriptwriter, he endows his supporting characters with fully developed and multivaried personalities and situations. This provides opportunity for the supporting actors to turn-in some terrific performances, most especially Jill Wisoff as Ira's (Solondz') insistent girlfriend Sharon (Oscar-Nom worthy, if you ask me). Some excellent compositions in the cinematography, some of the most eccentric locations you'll find in New York, and a downright infectious end-title song ("Neat Kind of Guy") make this a sure-bet for your video-renting pleasure. Not the best film, but it'll surely not be checked out from your video store and you'll definitely enjoy a few laughs.