Fear

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In the 90’s, teens were growing up fast. The internet was still emerging and no one knew what it was or could be yet, but the last decade of the 20^th century was a good time. Things were prosperous, the economy was booming and everyone was looking forward to…. The Future – that being the year 2000. What scientific wonders awaited us then? Ha!

So, it was fitting that a film pop up out of nowhere and leave its own mark on the teen film scene in 1996. Staring a former underwear model and brother of a “New Kids on the Block” member, as well as a young blonde actress no one knew, the young and attractive Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon led the low budget Indie thriller, “Fear”

Now if you think I am a source of movie knowledge, there was one young guy who put me to shame in my teens. He was a mate from school, and we shared many of the same classes in Year 8. He loved movies with a passion and as we talked about our shared interest, he was a big influence on me finding my way to the cinema. I didn’t have to pick a movie or ask what we were seeing; my movie buddy had it all worked out. “We’re seeing ‘Fear’ this weekend. Meet me at Village Cinemas in Dandy at this time” he would say. And I did as instructed. Taking his much more developed movie wisdom, I went along to this movie for the first time with my mate, and many more would follow. He also pops up in a later review in this series as the Dubber of Videos. One Saturday afternoon, we went to see “Fear”. It was a quiet session in the cinema, with a few bodies scattered around the cinema. I had no idea what to expect. I hadn’t seen the trailer on TV and went in blind. That was pretty common for movies back in the 90’s. The internet wasn’t generating movie buzz like it does now and unless you saw a trailer at the movies while watching another movie, or the brief TV commercial here or there, you just went to the movies and picked one off the display board. It was quite liberating doing that; just rocking up to the cinema with no idea what you would see.

The film started mildly enough, focusing on the young teenager Nicole, who lives in a beautiful lakeside house with her dad, step-mom and little brother. Life seems perfect for this little Daddy’s Girl as she goes to school and hangs out with her slightly more rebellious friend Margo. They cut class one day to hang out at a pool hall, where Nicole spots a good looking guy playing at another table. Looks are exchanged and a connection is made. But would they ever see each other again?

The following weekend, Nicole and Margo go to a nightclub they’re too young for and guess who pops up all charming and buff? You guessed it. The dude from the pool hall. He smoothly introduces himself as David, and by the end of the night, the two are a couple. Nicole is smitten and takes the young guy home to meet the parents. The dad is impressed to start with, but still as cautious as any dad would be of a young bloke dating his 16 year old daughter. He seems too good to be true, and I knew watching it then and there this guy was bad news, even if our heroine Nicole didn’t know that yet. 

Gradually, David reveals himself to be somewhat controlling, possessive and suspicious. But he’s also manipulative and knows how to work Nicole’s strings, who despite the obvious warning signs that her boyfriend might be a psycho, she is completely infatuated. Thinking she’s in love, she ignores the warnings from her dad and goes along for the ride with David. But as the layers unravel on this troubled young guys life, Nicole sees the way out… but it may be too late to break up. For David is not only infatuated with Nicole – he’s Obsessed with her. And she’s his girl. 4EVA. 

Fear played out like your standard thriller for the most part, but did something in its first act that surprised me and anyone else who saw it. As Nicole and David fall head over heels for each other, they attend the local carnival and stare adoringly into each others eyes. Hopping on a roller coaster, the smooth sounds of “Wild Horses” by The Sunday’s plays, and David’s hand slips a little bit south of Nicole’s waistline. She’s wearing a short skirt, and they’re both sitting in the front carriage, so no one can see what they’re doing. Nicole relaxes and… well, you can figure out the rest. If you’ve seen the film you know the scene I’m talking about. I clearly remember my movie mate and I looking at each other and both saying the word at the same time “Is he fingering her?” Then we nodded in succession. The act most teenage boys only dreamed about or pretended to claim they had done, as it was also known as Third Base, was being played out for us on screen as clear as day. This movie was unabashed and took the audience on this steamy roller coaster scene up close and personal. Welcome to the "Fatal Attraction" for teens it was saying, and this moment in the film would be the most talked about of all.

Aside from this uncensored scene, the standout part of Fear has to be the climatic house attack scene. Mark Wahlberg made a big splash in this film, launching his career instantly; he proved he could play cool and calm, romantic and tender, as well as psychotic and violent. And he slipped between these traits seamlessly in his performance. As he arrives at the home of Nicole to take her back, he is greeted at the door by her dad, who locks it just in time and stares out the peep hole. David looks back through the peep hole, assuming Nicole’s dad is on the other side and utters some words to try and convince the father to open up, still playing the role of the charming young Prince who took his daughters hand. Then he snaps… “So let me in your fucking house!” screaming it with white hot rage and anger. It was terrifying and lead to a suspenseful and action packed ending at the house on the lake where it all began. 

Fear certainly launched Mark Wahlberg's career in one film, and Reese Witherspoon would go onto greater things too, but took the slower steadier climb to success, later appearing in the hit film Cruel Intentions, which I will review for you later. 

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