Generating one of the most stereotypical die-hard fans to ever be shown on the big screen, Big Fan reaches new heights with little to no hiccups. Catapulted by the clever and witty dialogue of writer/director Robert Siegel and an outstanding lead performance from Patton Oswalt, the film mocks and pokes fun at just how crazy some sports fans can be.
In the film, Oswalt plays Paul Aufiero, a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant in Staten Island. Completely obsessed with the New York Giants, Paul lives for each Sunday, basking in the goodness that comes with each Giants' victory. One night, while at a gas station, Paul and his friend spot Giants lineman Quantrell Bishop. Acting on an impulse, the two decide to follow their icon to a Manhattan strip bar, finally mustering up the courage to speak to him. But a small misunderstanding leads to a nightmare confrontation between the icon and his stalker, paving way for the ultimate test for Paul and his devotion to his favorite team.
Fully transitioning your world into that of an obsessed fan, lead actor Patton Oswalt does a brilliant job at making Paul relatable and to an extent, understood. His actions, though never in the right frame of mind, are that of inspiration as he brings the audience in, letting them experience the excitement that surrounds Giants football.
Yet even with the sympathetic lead character, the true charm of the film is in its writing. Full of clever wit and intriguing dialogue, the film brings about a sense of peace, generating a smile on your face with the slightest of effort. The lines, innocent and hilarious, cause you to sit up and pay attention, not wanting to miss an instant of Paul's dream come true experience.
In the end, the film is fantastically funny and irresistibly addicting. Though showing signs of a low-budget and somewhat lackluster supporting cast, Big Fan works through those tedious distractors, winning the game as it successfully brings out the inner-fan within us all!
