Matthew Shear makes his debut as writer, director and star in the romantic comedy 'Fantasy Life,' which expands to theaters nationwide on Friday. The New York City-set film draws from Shear's own experiences as an actor and male nanny. He stars as Sam, who falls for the mother of the children he babysits.
Fantasy Life follows Sam, an anxious law school dropout played by Shear, as he develops feelings for Dianne, portrayed by Amanda Peet. Dianne is married to musician David, played by Alessandro Nivola, who is the son of Sam's psychiatrist—the same doctor who recommends the babysitting job. The story explores complications arising from this dynamic amid Sam's personal struggles with mental health, a theme echoed in Dianne's life as well. Shear described the screenplay as his first completed one, noting, “I had dabbled... [But] I’d never completed anything.” He wrote it during a difficult period in his acting career, saying, “having a tough moment in my acting career, which is a euphemism for not working.” His wife encouraged him to start writing, leading him to incorporate elements from his time working as a male nanny, or 'manny,' in Manhattan. Shear has previously appeared in films such as M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples and Noah Baumbach’s Mistress America. Initially, he shopped the role of Sam to other actors but eventually claimed it himself after his wife pointed out it suited him perfectly. On set, he relied on his cinematographer and script supervisor for feedback on his performance to balance directing duties. Shear emphasized the film's authenticity to contemporary New York, stating, “I was committed to doing something that reflected New York right now. Like, who is actually living in these brownstones?” He added that vulnerability persists regardless of circumstance: “It’s human to be uncomfortable in all kinds of circumstances, whether it’s this sort of fulfilled version of life, or a more humble one.”