Review: Fantasy Life

20 May, 2026 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 2 categories

Title: Fantasy Life
MPA Rating: R
Director: Matthew Shear
Starring: Amanda Peet, Matthew Shear, Alessandro Nivola
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins

What It Is: Sam Stein (Shear) is a nervous, anxious wreck of a man. It is this anxiety alongside other issues that led to him dropping out of law school. As such he sees a therapist. When that therapist suggests he assist his son in babysitting his three girls, Sam is unsure about this. He struggles initially before fitting right in. David (Nivola), the therapist’s son, is a musician and gone often. His wife Dianne (Peet) is an actress. So Sam is getting work watching these girls. As the relationship with the family evolves, Sam is struggling with the changing dynamic.

What We Think: This one has such interesting dynamics to it. Matthew Shear is clearly drawing on some personal stuff with this one. He’s also making somewhat of a statement about how older actresses are perceived in Hollywood and the like. Whether that’s intentional or not is a whole other conversation. I really enjoyed that Shear didn’t really make his character all that likable. He’s also not always the victim of his circumstances, instead he’s the catalyst for all his problems. Structurally the script is really well crafted and that’s another huge positive for Shear. Overall this entire movie moves so well across its script and the characters are all wonderfully flawed.

Our Grade: B+, This is a film that’ll fall under the radar. This much I know. My theater was empty I mean EMPTY. As in only myself and my friend Rachel there. This film deserves much better than that! If you can catch this in an indie theater near you it’s totally worth it. Support small films, support indie cinema. The biggest stretch is that anyone would look at Amanda Peet and not see a GORGEOUS leading lady. Hollywood standards in this film’s world are crazy. More importantly she’s incredible here. She runs the gamut of emotions and every decision she’s making seems to be working particularly well. As for our director Mr. Shear, I want the next one. Gimme your next film man, if it’s near the quality of this one I’m in.