Fear (DVD, 1998)

This is a really awesome (and scary) psycho-type movie that while geared toward the younger (teen/young adult) crowd may also appeal to adults and/or the parents in the audience- it would be any parent's nightmare to have thier daughter come home with a guy like David. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of acting and serious nature of the storyline since we are so used to Reese Witherspoon and Alyssa Milano (especially Witherspoon) playing cutesy-type rolls aimed at a tweener audience. Thier acting in this one, along with that of Mark Wahlberg, ware really quite impressive. I must warn though that there are several sexually intense scenes that are NOT appropriate for younger viewers.

Okay- Witherspoon plays Nicole Walker, a typical teen trying to develop her identity and independence. She lives with her father, step mother and step brother in a fabulous house in a gated community. Of course, the house has all the latest security features... that don't amount to much in the end... Margo (Milano) is her best friend and kind of a bad influence- has had relationships with many different guys, is into partying and drinking, lacks supervision and so forth. She manages to talk her friend into going with her to an all night rave in an area of town that is known for being rough. While there, Nicole meets David (Mark Wahlberg) and is swept off her feet. At first David seems like the perfect boyfriend, but when Nichole's father begins to have issues with the relationship (curfew violations and so forth) his true colors begin to show... David becomes obsessed with Nicole and vows revenge on her family for trying to keep them apart.

Reese Witherspoon is a favorite actress of mine, especially in FEAR, because she is such a bad Daddy's girl, which is portrayed through her rebellious acts until she realizes that Daddy really does know best. But, I must admit that Mark Wahlberg does a great job portraying the possessive boyfriend, too. I don't usually appreciate all the characters' acting, but this movie is definitely an exception.

I decided to purchase FEAR because it was not available in libraries, from family or friends, or from Red Boxes. At the time, I was reviewing movies from my original list of favorite actors and actresses, and Reese Witherspoon was one of them. This movie came out when I had met my girlfriend, who now is my wife, and even though it had been years since we had watched it, I still consider it a favorite.

There are so many people who've recommended this movie, I had to add a voice of dissent. I think a lot of the young ladies reviewing it are much younger than I. (49) That aside, I like a good suspenseful, love story as much as the next girl. I thought "Fear" was lousy. It had that cheap B movie look about it, I didn't like Mark Wahlberg (though I already knew that) and Reese Witherspoon doesn't seem to have hit her stride. The movie is very predictable, and as I said MW is a bit slimey, (even before he turns rotten, there's nothing appealing about him) and not worth the money. I usually don't invest the cash to own a DVD unless it's something I know I'll want to see it again, preferably multiple times. This movie is definitely not in that category .. I'll probably wind up giving it away.
DTJ

I enjoyed this very much and it unfortunately made me think of all the unnecessary violence in our society today with no end in sight. I again sent this on to our troops overseas in war zones.

This movie has started off as being about this girl having a crush and then falling for this guy that she thought was mister right but it made a sudden change. This movie shows you that people are not always who you think they are or want them to be.