A writer researching Victorian era serial killers becomes increasingly paranoid and must face his darkest fears at a local laundromat.
COMEDY
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A Fantastic Fear
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A Fantastic Fear of Everything is essentially two films stitched together, one good and one bad. The first half is the bad film, with choppy editing and an unclear plot, while the second half is not only a neat story but very well-acted on all fronts and highly engaging. A film like this is hard to review because I didn't like it but I did like it. See what I'm getting at? Simon Pegg anchors the film with a solid performance of a dangerously paranoid man on the edge of sanity. I just wish we'd been given more of a story inside this bizarre look at an uneven case of agoraphobia.
Pegg plays Jack, a novelist planning to write a new book about Victorian serial killers. His research makes him go steadily insane and brings out his darkest fears. When his agent gets him a meeting with a publisher, he is forced to confront his demons at a laundromat, which is where everything gets on the rails and it suddenly becomes an interesting film to watch. The second half sees Jack and a girl named Sangeet trapped under the laundromat by an actual serial killer. I won't spoil the ending, but it ultimately saves the film. As far as being a comedy, the film has some funny moments but it's more of a thriller than anything else. Simon Pegg has a charming screen presence that can make any film the slightest bit more likable, and he's a huge part of why A Fantastic Fear of Everything didn't entirely suck. Once it knew what film it wanted to be, it became quite watchable and even entertaining. It's worth a watch for the second half, but I don't know if it's something I'd ever put on just for laughs. |