Laurie (played by Paulo Costanzo) is a protagonist in A Problem with Fear.
Laurie is a small shop clerk in a Calgary mall whose life is dominated by fear of accidents and by premonitions about them. After predicting danger around events such as a car crossing, he struggles to conquer his fears and those of people around him. He is Michelle's dependent brother and Dot's boyfriend. Dot (played by Emily Hampshire) appears in A Problem with Fear.
Dot is Laurie's girlfriend. She conducts a survey about how clothing defines a person, a subject she both detests and feels obsessed with. Her survey provides one of the film's satirical observations about popular culture, while her relationship with Laurie places her among the people connected to his fear-filled world. Michelle (played by Camille Sullivan) appears in A Problem with Fear.
Michelle is Laurie's sister and heads product development at Global Safety Inc., a company seeking to provide products against the city's “Fear Storm.” Its Early Warning 2 Safe System and Safe Bracelet are designed to warn users of danger or let them call for help. She is described as less than sympathetic toward her dependent brother.
A Problem with Fear (2003) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Laurie
(played by Paulo Costanzo) — protagonist
Laurie is a small shop clerk in a Calgary mall whose life is dominated by fear of accidents and by premonitions about them. After predicting danger around events such as a car crossing, he struggles t...
Dot
(played by Emily Hampshire) — supporting
Dot is Laurie's girlfriend. She conducts a survey about how clothing defines a person, a subject she both detests and feels obsessed with. Her survey provides one of the film's satirical observations...
Michelle
(played by Camille Sullivan) — supporting
Michelle is Laurie's sister and heads product development at Global Safety Inc., a company seeking to provide products against the city's “Fear Storm.” Its Early Warning 2 Safe System and Safe Bracele...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Laurie → Michelle
(Family Sibling)
The plot identifies Michelle as Laurie's sister and describes Laurie as dependent on her.
Laurie → Dot
(Romantic Girlfriend)
The plot explicitly refers to Dot as Laurie's girlfriend.
Story Analysis
A fear-haunted clerk confronts prophetic accidents and a consumer culture that turns danger into absurdity.
Plot Progression
A Mall Built On Fear
Safety Against The Storm
Absurdity Takes Over
The Uncertain Escape
Directed by Gary Burns
A Problem with Fear (2003) · 4.4/10 · comedy, drama
