Fear Anxiety and Depression

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.

The only reason I watched this movie is that I was getting ready to watch Happiness and in my research prior to watching it I looked up Todd Solondz's work and came across this.

I still haven't watched Happiness at the time of writing this review, but I have now watched this one now.

Unfortunately this has not been released on DVD and from what I have read will most likely never be if Todd Solondz has anything to say about it. My copy was a digitised VHS copy and not a very good copy at that, but happily watchable. The audio was quite good but the video quality sucked a bit. Still, it didn't stop me enjoying the movie and the music hooked me, especially the "Neat Kind of Guy" song.

Some pretty good, quirky acting from the man himself and some of the backup actors made this an enjoyable movie. Notably, the character Junk played by Jane Hamper stood out for me early on, but she grated on me later in the movie.

A very early Stanley Tucci movie with hair was another highlight for me.

Not having seen many Woody Allen movies, I can not really compare Todd Solandz to him as other reviewers have done.

Worth watching if you are a Todd Solandz fan, good luck finding a copy that is watchable.

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

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.

I am a big fan of both WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE and HAPPINESS, and didn't even know this movie existed until it was shown recently on the "Romance Classics" cable channel, of all places. (The only "star" acknowledged in the channel listing was Stanley Tucci, who does have a small supporting role.) This film tries too hard to be a wacky look at love for a loser (played by Solondz), and I found its wackiness to be both forced and intrusive. While it does contain some of the elements that are used so much more effectively in his later two films, such as an unblinking look at the ugliness in life, and strange songs with lyrics penned by Solondz, this film is not in the same league as either. It doesn't help that intentionally or otherwise, Solondz comes off as a annoying version of Woody Allen. Recommended for Solondz (or Tucci) completists only.