Visions en direct

At first I felt this movie might be a disappointment. There are so many movies out there that look good, seem to have a cool premise, actors, etc. but never deliver. This movie had all those hints of greatness but in the back of my mind, despite what I read about it on here and other discussion boards(which was all very positive) I still had my reservations. Eventually I took the plunge and let me tell you friends "the water's fine!" This was great. Ally Sheedy was great. (smartly typecast for her own personal quirkiness). I couldn't ask for a better director (whomever he is...sorry bub, I'll look you up after this.) I thought I had the killers identity figured out right off the bat but turns out I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This was such a refreshing experience in the thriller genre. I know I will continue to enjoy this movie for years to come.

Since it's fallen into the cracks it's not to be confused with the more popular mid-nineties teen thriller of the same title starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg. Director Rockne. S O'Bannon's 1990 'Fear" is a by-the-numbers, but highly intriguing and low-key psychic / detective thriller with a maturely inspired and gallant lead performance by 80s brat pack star Ally Sheedy. There's no denying it's systematic with its developments, but the escalating psychological tension that's brewing between the two psychics' (the psychotic killer and the renowned tracker) unsettling connection is impulsively gripping and disorienting. The telepathic communication between the two is mentally nail-biting, and so is the linking POV imagery (blue tinting) of seeing what each other is doing. The harrowing material really does toy us around, drawing upon the threatening nature and adrenaline rush of creating a real sense of fear. Henry Macini's stomping, but eerie score truly gets under the skin and Robert Stevens' cinematography is sharply shot. O'Bannon keeps it sure-footed and taut; as he lets the story leisurely unfolds (giving time to explore the characters) to only break the ice with hysterically intense and twisted short pockets. Pruitt Taylor Vince's unnervingly immoral performance as the psychic murderer is nothing but convincingly good. The supporting cast featuring Michael O'Keefe, Lauren Hutton and Stan Shaw give collected and likable portrayals. Occupying an interesting cameo role at the beginning is the iconic John Agar.

As soon as the movie begins, we know how it's going to end. And yet "Fear" stays captivating the whole time. What makes it so interesting is the exploration of human emotion: the use of fear as a tool of communication. Yes, this is a movie about psychics and psychopaths, but it's also a movie about exploring the depth of human understanding.

Movies like this one are sold here as German-dubbed video cassettes so cheap you practically can't refuse to buy them. „Fear" was a pleasant surprise, a psycho (or rather psychic) thriller with clear references to several Hitchcock movies and also reminiscent of Italian giallos. All the elements are there: the suspense, dream sequences, absurd humorous situations, innocent victims and many people who don't believe what you tell them, however hard you try. The story is simple but it works. And there is an excellent, beautifully filmed finale on a fairground (remember „Strangers on a Train?"). The biggest treat is Pruitt Taylor Vince as the psychopath killer who sees the tables turned on him. What a talent! Why, why, why doesn't he get more and bigger roles??

This is a film that has you on the edge of your seat from the first moment. You at times wonder to yourself wait a moment who is good and who is bad here. a very well done guessing game at the same time boo scare you film.

One reason I say it is so well done is because it is a made for t.v. movie and in my opinion not many made for t.v. movies are that well produced. However this is done in great theatre style well worth checking out if you are a horror/thriller genre fan. Ally Sheedy gives a great preformances going away from comedy and into serious here