Following its Audience Award win at this year’s SXSW Film Festival, Matthew Shear’s poignant ensemble comedy Fantasy Life has been picked up by Greenwich Entertainment for North American distribution. The film, which marks Shear’s directorial debut, will see a nationwide theatrical release under the indie distributor.
Written, directed by, and starring Shear, Fantasy Life features a powerhouse cast led by Amanda Peet (Your Friends and Neighbors), who earned the SXSW Performance Award for her role in the film. Rounding out the ensemble are Alessandro Nivola (The Brutalist), Judd Hirsch (The Fabelmans), Bob Balaban (Asteroid City), Andrea Martin, Jessica Harper, Holland Taylor, and Zosia Mamet (The Flight Attendant).
The heartfelt dramedy follows Sam Stein (Shear), an out-of-work paralegal who, after a panic attack, winds up babysitting his psychiatrist’s granddaughters. He soon finds himself entangled in the summer life of Dianne (Peet), a once-promising actor in a strained marriage to rock musician David (Nivola). Set against the idyllic backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, Fantasy Life weaves a tender and comedic exploration of mental health, love, regret, and found family – all under one very full roof.
“I’m so thrilled and appreciative to the Greenwich team for partnering with us to bring Fantasy Life to movie theaters,” Shear said in a statement. “The film has a large ensemble of New York characters ages 6-89 and I was beyond blessed to work with masters of comedic film acting like Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, and Alessandro Nivola. But I’m particularly excited to share Amanda Peet’s lead performance as Dianne; it is uniquely honest, funny, and beautiful, and I think audiences will love to watch Amanda shine.”
Early buzz from SXSW has been enthusiastic. Deadline’s Pete Hammond praised the casting as “perfection,” noting that Peet, who has been absent from film in recent years, “gives this drifting soul real gravitas and poignancy.” He added that Fantasy Life is “Shear’s show in front of and behind the camera,” signaling a bright future for the multihyphenate filmmaker.
The film was produced by Charlie Alderman, Chris Dodds, and Greg Field for Prospect Avenue, alongside Phil Keefe for AC3 Media, Amanda Peet, and Emily McCann Lesser. It was also produced by David Bernon and Sam Slater for Burn Later, in partnership with Made By Limbo and Shear’s own production company. Alex Field and Matthew Shear served as executive producers.
The North American deal was negotiated by Greenwich’s Andy Bohn, with CAA Media Finance representing the filmmakers. Visit Films is launching international sales at Cannes.
