This is Todd Solondz' first big movie before he did `Welcome to the Dollhouse.' There are definitely some scenes, where I'm laughing when I know I shouldn't be, that remind me of `Happiness,' and `Welcome to the Dollhouse.' Other scenes are so much like Woody Allen's `Annie Hall,' it is unmistakable. The main character, Ira, is played by Todd Solondz himself. He's a fearful, nervous playwright hoping to make some real art. Looking for advice, he asks friends to read his play. Not that it would be a bad idea, you know, getting a little input from friends to help along the process, but these are the wrong people to be trusting with that type of decision. Ira is afraid of being considered a bad writer, and his friends are afraid of being honest with him. Jack's character is a great example of a guy who uses words to take the easy way out, pretending his life isn't what it really is.a lie! He sums up his success saying an art critic, Sheila, thinks he is the next Matisse. It turns out that Sheila, played by Anne De Salvo, is one of my favourite characters. When she comes over to check out Jack's art, she says, `I hate to have to be honest with you, but your art is so cliché.' He just wants to be in the Whitney Bi-Annual so he sleeps with her to try and gain her help in being chosen. But even that doesn't work! It made me laugh so hard. Jack is such a loser. Stanley Tucci plays a great, funny role as Donnie. He's always got a different woman with him, and brags about his money when he is around Ira. He's that kind of guy from high school that always succeeds, who has everything, when you know he's not a cool guy and he doesn't deserve it. There are many hints of Solondz' later movies in `Fear, Anxiety and Depression.' It's a funny movie that I would definitely watch again. Some people think it is too similar to a Woody Allen movie to be taken seriously. I think it's awesome because it is close to being an Allen movie, but it is much more honest and dark than Allen ever achieved on film. There are some great explorations of the boundaries of honesty. How sometimes people lie, or withhold information, to make others feel good about themselves, or to take advantage of others. On some level, it probably comes across as another love story comedy, but the script is very thoughtful and intellectual, more than any typical movie.
