Fantasy Life: Westchester Natives Produce an Anxious Inter-Generational Comedy

How often does a feature film produced by a Scarsdale grad and written, directed and starring a Larchmont native hit the big screen?

Sound intriguing? We had the chance to get a sneak peak at “Fantasy Life” at the Movie Club at the Emelin Theater last week, just before it will be featured at the Jacob Burns Jewish Film Center on March 25 and debut at the Angelika Film Center in Soho on March 27, 2026.

Local residents will find much to relate to in both the story and the scenery. What’s it about? Here’s the story in brief:

An anxious law school dropout (Matthew Shear) stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters and falls for the girls' mother (Amanda Peet), an actress in a rocky marriage. It’s a smart, New York set romantic comedy co- starring Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, and Holland Taylor.

Matthew Shear explains the inspiration for his story: “Fantasy Life is a New York comedy that was conceived from my years working as a “manny” for Manhattan families while I navigated mental health problems.

“My character, Sam, and the kids’ mom (whom he pines for), Dianne, played by Amanda Peet, both have chronic mood disorders. To describe these characters, I drew on my history with depression and anxiety as honestly as possible; and I was eager to challenge the mental health narratives that always get on my nerves (namely hyper- tragic stories tackling suicide or hospitalization or the Joker). I sought to find drama in the more personal, everyday comic aspects of living with a mental illness. While Sam is loosely based on me, Dianne’s struggles are very different from my own. She’s an independently wealthy mother of three girls. Her husband (Alessandro Nivola) is off on a big world tour just as her acting career has halted. She’s not working, but she’s also not doing the bulk of the child care. I became fascinated by the vulnerability of her languishing career, her wealth, her mothering. Dianne’s world became an engrossing foil for Sam’s millennial burnout for me; and when a romantic spark emerged, their shared isolation revealed a funny, awkward and useful refuge for them both.”

“Also, Dianne’s family her husband, kids, and their grandparents comprise an inter generational cast of Jewish New Yorkers (ages 6- 89) who complicate Dianne and Sam’s relationship at every turn. This extended family includes some true masters of film comedy like Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, and Judd Hirsch. Their warm, effortless performances bring out a cultural rhythm and wise comic edge that is eerily, and touchingly, my own family’s special hysteria.”

Scarsdale’s Charlie Alderman, is an independent producer and partner in a production company. He grew up in Quaker Ridge and graduated from Scarsdale High School in 2007 and is one of five producers of the film.

How did he get involved with the venture?

Alderman said, “I was lucky enough to read Matt's script in a normal boring way, as a submission from his agent, but it leapt out of the pile. It's about a Jewish extended family and a sweet, slightly schlubby guy who babysits for them and falls for the mom, played by Amanda Peet. it feels refreshingly honest and funny. “

“Everybody in the movie has a therapist, or is a therapist... or needs a therapist. But nobody is too miserable. They're just a little anxious and looking for connection. It feels really nice to watch the movie and laugh about that together.”

And did he know Matt from his Westchester days? Alderman said, “Matt is from Larchmont. We didn't know each other as kids. But we share from our upbringing are memories of academic pressure and Walter's hot dogs.”

Any local references in the film? Alderman said, “The movie takes place in the city and on Martha's Vineyard, but there's an early shout out to the New Rochelle Racquet Club. If you know, you know.”

See “Fantasy Life” and a Q&A with Matthew Shear at the Jacob Burns Jewish Film Center on Wednesday March 25 or Friday April 3 at 7 pm. Purchase your tickets here: