Before Mark Wahlberg was among the A-list elite, he was Marky Mark and he had a Funky Bunch. Good Vibrations wasn’t quite Ice Ice Baby but it was defining enough to stick with Wahlberg as he made his transition from music to film. His physique made him a presence in his music videos and, most notably, in iconic ads for Calvin Klein, but was he all looks and no substance?
Wahlberg stepped into the game in supporting roles in films like Renaissance Man and The Basketball Diaries (the latter alongside Leonardo DiCaprio) but he would be front and center in 1996’s Fear. The familiar tale of girl meets boy who isn’t what he seems, would seem destined for Lifetime Movie of the Week status but Fear proves itself on some level by offering a tad more substance than most movies of its type even if it does go down some pretty cliched roads along the way.
In Seattle, harried father Steven (William Petersen) is trying to keep up with work demands while tending to the needs of his blended family, including wife Laura (Amy Brenneman), daughter Nicole (Reese Witherspoon), and stepson Toby (Christopher Gray). Uncomfortable with Nicole’s development into womanhood, Steven futilely attempts to control his daughter’s wardrobe and attitude, only to find himself failing to hold on to his little girl. The relationship grows complicated with the arrival of David (Mark Wahlberg), an older, mysterious guy who’s immediately drawn to Nicole, yet can’t quite silence his inner thug. Despite showing shades of being from the wrong side of the tracks, he still seems to treat Nicole with the utmost respect. Steven is the only member of the family to think that David isn’t just misunderstood, but a predator hell-bent on manipulating his daughter. Nicole, initially consumed by the romance, also becomes aware of David’s dark side but by this point, it’s too late to just break up with David and just have it be over. He’s now willing to kill anyone who steps between him and his love which leads to a suspenseful attack on their home.
Not only do we have a young Mark Wahlberg (around 25 at the time) but we also have a young Reese Witherspoon (then around 20). She deserves ample credit for making Nicole more than a cliched movie teenager. I won’t accuse Fear of having great depth but it’s clear that Witherspoon infuses the character with more personality than was probably on the page. She’s clearly more polished than Wahlberg but because of this, he’s able to also shine through in their scenes together as well. They don’t share groundbreaking chemistry, but it’s clear to see why she would fall for him, despite the clear warning signs.
Mark Wahlberg was still in Marky mode here and wouldn’t truly break out of it until his star-making turn in Boogie Nights. Despite some obvious limitations, he still manages to give a pretty chilling performance. He plays the role with a cool confidence that doesn’t go over the top (save one moment during the climactic home invasion) and it’s the laid back approach that makes David more menacing. He was still a work in progress but it’s still a solid turn from someone who had only been in two films prior.
The film does falter in a few areas that can’t really be ignored. Steve’s wife is way too welcoming to David and I would think most women in her position would see through him but in the film, during certain scenes, makes her seem just as into him as Nicole is. There’s also the issue of Nicole’s friend, Margo (Alyssa Milano) who is the product of bad girl cliches. She’s a wild child until the script doesn’t need her to be so she can be involved during the climax of the film. It’s not Milano’s fault but more the fault of the script. Also, a misstep is the role that David’s friends play in the story. I guess I can buy that they would have their boys back after a bad break up but I highly doubt, no matter how bad they’re portrayed, that they would go the route of invading the family home. The script tries to give them motivation beyond this (Steve wrecks their place in a fit of anger) but it’s a clear plot device that seems forced to draw the film to its conclusion.
Speaking of the conclusion, when this movie came out a lot of critics thought the home invasion climax was over the top but director James Foley handles the scenes with astute direction. He utilizes the right amount of tension and it definitely increases the entertainment level during the final ten minutes. It’s not as psychological as what came before it, but it’s fun to watch unfold.
Fear celebrated its 20th anniversary back in April and in that time Mark Wahlberg has become an A-list actor and producer. He earned the respect of his peers (even securing an Oscar nomination for his scene-stealing turn in The Departed) and he’s a bonafide box office star. Every actor has humble beginnings and if you ignore Good Vibrations and the Funky Bunch, Fear is a decent intro to the movie star he would eventually become.
Reel Talk gives Fear 2.5 Reels
