Film Review: "Big Fan"
By Chris Monahan Finding a theater that played the film Big Fan was not easy. Because the film was not in wide release, I traveled 45 minutes to Clearview’s Manhasset Cinema on Labor Day afternoon to see it. For me, the trip was well worth it, and being a die-hard New York Giants fan certainly helped. Big Fan is written and directed by Robert Siegel, who also penned the screenplay for 2008’s critically acclaimed film The Wrestler. Interestingly enough, Siegel was once editor of the satirical newspaper and website, The Onion. These films are certainly a departure from his previous work. Big Fan is Siegel’s directorial debut and one can see the elements it shares with his previous screenplay. As with the The Wrestler, Big Fan is a sports movie that focuses on a somewhat depressing main character. Paul Aufiero’s (Patton Oswalt) life is the New York Giants. He almost literally lives, eats and breathes the Giants. It’s too a point where even his family considers him a pathetic individual. On a gameday, Paul and his friend Sal (Kevin Corrigan) might tailgate in the Stadium parking lot; then they'd head to their seats, in front of a TV in the stadium parking lot. During the week, Paul works as a parking garage attendant where he prepares small speeches about his favorite team to deliver on his favorite sports talk radio show. Often he goes toe-to-toe with "Philadelphia Phil," fan of the rival team Eagles, who also calls in to the station. Football is everything and Paul has no time for a career or girlfriend, much to the dismay of his mother. The films main conflict begins when Paul accidentally runs into his favorite player, Giant’s star linebacker Quantrell Bishop. The encounter leads them to a New York nightclub where a misunderstanding between Paul and Bishop ends violently. Throughout most of the film Paul struggles with a decision that could ruin his hero’s career and his favorite team’s chance at success. It’s interesting to see how a man’s extreme fandom can tear him down and potentially ruin his life. Patton Oswalt, of King of Queens fame, nails the role of Paul Aufiero. He captures the essence of a pathetic superfan. The viewer can go through any number of emotions when observing Paul. You can sympthasize, pity or even relate to Paul on a certain level. Many people who have a favorite team they sometimes obsess over may not like what they see in Paul’s character. They might see a little of themselves. Paul is certainly an extreme case but we all know that guy or have at least seen him on display at a bar or at a game. He’ll go to extreme lengths to defend his team, watch every second of every game and he knows the name of the teams 3rd string tight end in 1993. Pathetic to some people, but a way of life to many. I particularly enjoyed this film as a guy who lives in New York, loves football and the New York Giants. All the player references and stereotypical characters made the film even better. However, a person who has no knowledge of sports culture and doesn’t care at all about football could struggle to enjoy it as much as I did. Though some will appreciate Oswalt’s engrossing performance and personal conflict, they could find interest in the obsessive fan world that Siegel draws you into and portrays so effectively. Most will find something in this film to enjoy, but if you’re a "Giant" sports nerd like myself, you might end up loving it. |
