Fear movie reese witherspoon gagged

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Fear is a frightening realistic movie about abuse, but not from marital, but from the relationship of a teenage couple. You would think that, from my previous movie review, that I am a fan of Reese Witherspoon. It was just a coincidence; I had no idea she was in this movie, until I saw the opening credits. Other well known actors in this movie include Mark Wahlberg, and Alyssa Milano.

The story begins with Reese Witherspoon’s character (Nicole) meeting Mark Wahlberg’s character (David), and she falls head over heels for him. He’s handsome, charming, and drives a sweet convertible. The other girls are jealous, and he takes her out in public to show his affection. He is even smitten with her family. He is the perfect guy. Or is he?

The movie Fear (from 1996, by the way) opens with a Reese Witherspoon shower scene, so you haven’t recognized her as a sex object at some point, you may begin to after watching this film. In fact, you definitely will. She looks incredibly young in this movie, and I assume her part contributed to the way her career blossomed. Her young and pretty image surely put her on the map the same way Dusk Till Dawn had for butter-face Juliette Lewis. I assume the same for Mark Wahlberg, whom people may have recognized as Marky Mark at the time.

The father of Witherspoon’s character in the movie Fear is played by William Petersen. If you do not know who that is, he was the main character from the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation show from when it first went on the air. I would say he was the guy you wanted to punch in the face for being so egotistic, but that would describe the entire cast, and frankly, the whole plot and series of CSI. Just know that he was a big name actor.

Why It’s Good

The brilliant plot aspects of the movie Fear cannot be ignored when discussing its success as a psychological thriller. The film masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, tension, and character development, creating a memorable cinematic experience for the audience. The unpredictability of certain events and the depth of its central characters contribute to the film’s engaging narrative. Furthermore, Fear leaves viewers deeply invested in uncovering the hidden motivations of the characters, resulting in a dramatic and satisfying climax.

Beyond its narrative prowess, Fear delves into the intricate theme of control. This exploration is primarily seen through the characters of Steve and David, whose attempts to control Nicole drive the story forward. Steve, representing a more conventional form of control, imposes strict rules on his daughter in an effort to mold her into the perfect image he desires. Yet, this only serves to alienate Nicole, pushing her towards David.

David’s approach to control is more sinister and obsessive. His manipulative tactics are aimed at usurping Steve’s position in Nicole’s life, showcasing an extreme version of control that is both intimidating and dangerous. The film starkly portrays the consequences of these control battles, culminating in violence and tragedy.

The climax of Fear powerfully illustrates the devastating effects of losing control. Steve’s greatest fear materializes when David and his friends overpower him, leaving him helpless. However, the resolution sees Steve reclaiming control in a moment of desperation, underscoring the film’s message about the perils of control and its repercussions.

The movie Fear hits close to home. It will remind you of what being a teenager is all about: first loves, first regrets, and the importance of family. If this sounds cheesy, you are completely wrong. This is a great date movie, because it helps break the ice and brings controversial relationship issues to the forefront. I highly recommend you buy this movie (affiliate link) and watch it with your boyfriend or girlfriend. It could literally save your relationship.

One thing that Fear will make you believe is that Mark Wahlberg can play a convincing yet troubled teenager, which is hilarious considering the actual fact that Wahlberg himself was involved in some serious trouble at that age. Some may say that he was just “good at his role,” but others might make jokes about him beating someone up in real life. Regardless, his performance in this movie definitely added to its overall authenticity, making it a must-see for fans of the genre.

The Cast of Fear

Fear Movie Mark Reese

Much of the cast has already been discussed, but their combined acting ability creates a perfect storm of terror that’s both convincing and heart-pounding up to the last minute of the movie.

  • William Peterson, when this movie was released in 1996, was probably among the most famous and well known performers at the time. In this movie, he portrays Steven, who is the father of Nicole. He was in the movie ‘To Live and Die in LA’, an action thriller from late 1985 starring Willem Dafoe that definitely boosted his status and recognition. Peterson always had a sort of soft or vulnerable impression alongside his assertiveness, which made him the perfect candidate to play Nicole’s father. The way that David manipulates him (and his whole family) shows how well the father was cast.
  • His daughter Nicole is played by Reese Witherspoon, who should be thankful for being given this role, since her placement in the film helped paved the way for other teen roles, like Freeway (from the same year), Election and Legally Blonde 2. As time went on, she lost her baby-face look, but kept her irritating high-pitched voice. Most people know who this actor is by name, and ironically became more famous than William Peterson.
  • Her love interest David, performed by Mark Wahlberg, was cast perfectly. This is because he was sort of a bad dude in real life as well, arrested for violent crimes. He was already famous for being a music performer, and was even featured in a Sega CD game. His perfect body made him a prime candidate for Calvin Klein underwear commercials, so why not throw him into a teen movie as the main heart-throb?
  • Alyssa Milano, who played Nicole’s best friend Margo, was played the perfect bad-influence teenage girl. In the movie, she even admits to Nicole that she is her only friend. (Gee, I wonder why?) She dresses in a way to get men’s attention, smokes crack, and flirts with Nicole’s dad. It’s really hard to see the good side of this person. In real life, the actress is known for being in movies like Commando, and TV shows like Charmed.
  • Actress Amy Brenneman portrayed the step-mother of Nicole, named Laura. She performs a great job at bad mothering, including calling Nicole a ‘slut’, and in the same breath brushes off her sexual activity as if it’s normal. Laura herself gets emotionally manipulated into liking David, while growing frustrated with her new husband, Steven. Brennerman is known for being in the movie ‘Heat’.
Alyssa Milano and Mark Wahlberg

Consequences of Controlling Behaviors

In the film Fear, the consequences of David’s and Steve’s attempts to control Nicole are both dramatic and devastating. David’s relentless desire to dominate Nicole spirals into a tragic sequence of events, culminating in the loss of lives, including his own and those of his friends. This storyline starkly illustrates how the obsession with controlling another person can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Steve, Nicole’s father, also faces the consequences of his need for control. His fear of losing authority in his family is realized when David and his friends launch a violent assault, stripping him of any power to protect his loved ones. This fear pushes him into a vulnerable position, highlighting the terrifying reality that control can be forcibly taken away.

The narrative underscores two critical points: controlling others is ultimately futile and dangerous, and the terror of losing control can be as impactful as the attempt to maintain it. The film masterfully conveys these lessons, emphasizing the inherent risks tied to the desire to dominate others’ lives.

The Ending Explained

Spoiler alert! Time to discuss the crazy ending that serves as the cherry on top of this fright-flavored sundae.

The climax of Fear centers around a tense showdown between David and the Walker family. Throughout the movie, tension mounts as David’s façade slowly crumbles, revealing his true, sinister intentions. This gradual unraveling is carefully orchestrated, heightening the impact of the final confrontation.

As the film reaches its climax, the pace quickens dramatically. The revelation of David’s deceit sends shockwaves through the family, setting the stage for an intense and rapid sequence of events during a pivotal break-in scene. This escalation happens swiftly, and the whirlwind of actions and emotions can leave viewers scrambling to piece everything together.

David orchestrates the attack on the Walkers’ house because he believed they were a significant barrier between him and Nicole. He viewed the Walkers as an obstacle in his path to being with her. In his mind, removing them would clear his way to Nicole, making it necessary to mobilize his friends for the assault.

The need for explanation arises from the film’s rapid transition from a slow-building tension to a high-octane conclusion. The intricacies of the break-in and the ultimate resolution unfold at such a brisk pace that audiences might benefit from a detailed breakdown to fully grasp the nuances of the ending.

Why Does David Kill His Friend Logan?

During the ending sequence, several dramatic events happen.

David’s decision to kill his friend Logan is rooted in an intense obsession with Nicole, a central character in their storyline. Throughout the film, David and Logan share a close alliance, engaging in various malicious activities together. However, their friendship takes a dark turn when Logan targets Nicole during one of their actions.

David, driven by his fixation on Nicole, had made it clear that she was off-limits in their plans. When Logan disregards this warning and attacks Nicole, David sees it as an unforgivable betrayal. His obsession blinds him to the loyalty he might have felt toward Logan. In a drastic and shocking turn of events, David eliminates Logan to protect Nicole, ensuring no one else could claim her attention or affection. This act underscores the dangerous lengths he will go to for his obsession.

Toby’s Role

The Walkers family has a young boy, who turns out to be the surprise hero of the film.

In the surprise twist ending of Fear, Toby, played by Christopher Gray, plays a crucial role. Initially, the movie hints at a pivotal moment where Toby’s dog, Kaiser, is expected to rescue the family, responding to Toby’s dog whistle due to his protective nature. Contrary to expectations, Kaiser meets a grim fate at the hands of David upon his arrival at the house, which seemingly dismantles the anticipated rescue scenario.

Despite this setback, Toby steps up in an unexpected way. He manages to bring down one of the attackers, demonstrating resourcefulness and bravery. Additionally, he successfully contacts help, turning the tide in a situation that appeared bleak. This unexpected twist not only heightens the suspense but also distinguishes Fear from typical psychological thrillers, showcasing how Toby’s actions contribute significantly to the unexpected resolution.

When the phone lines to the house were severed by David and his friends, the house’s security system was effectively crippled, leaving the Walkers initially unable to seek outside help. However, Toby devised a clever solution. He quietly exited his bedroom through the window and made his way to the garage, where the car phone was located. Unlike traditional landlines, the car phone operated independently of the house’s wiring, functioning similarly to modern cell phones. By turning on the car, Toby activated the car phone and successfully contacted the police, bypassing the disrupted communication system.