"Big Fan"
by: Paolo Sardinas

You've seen them just about everywhere. Whether it be at you local football or basketball game. High school or college. Little League or Pros. You've seen them at one place or another. Who are they? The fans. The guys who thro on their favorite jersey, filled with hot dog/pretzel stains. The makeup, wigs, words written on guys, one letter per. The fans are always at the top of their game, even if the players aren't. "Big Fan", the latest from comedian Pat Oswalt, is a look at those "fans", and how our obsession with athletes has driven us to the deep end.

The story follows parking garage attendant, Paul Afiero(Oswalt). A man who not only lives in Staten Island, New York, he lives with his mother in Staten Island, New York. Paul just so happens to be a big fan of the Giants. And I mean BIG! Whose favorite "passtimes" include going to the stadium and watching games on a TV, in the parking lot, while being accompanied by his good friend, Sal(Kevin Corrigan). On top of all this he also enjoys phoning in on the local sorts talk show hot, "Sport Dogg", and ranting about how much the Philadelphia Eagles suck. Often ranting against Eagles fan, "Philadelphia Phil".

One day Paul and Sal(hey that rhymes) spot the Giant's star player, Quantrell Bishop(John Hamm), and his "posse" in Staten Island and kinda follow him around. When Quantrell finally meets them inside of a strip club, and finds out they have been following him the whole day, Quantrell doesn't like that. So he does what any reasonable man would do.. he beats the living hell out of Paul.

After the incident, Bishop is fired, Paul is released from the hospital, Paul is pressured into suing Bishop for millions. Now after I ruined about half of the film, I might as well give you a little taste of whats come. Paul manages to befriend Eagles fan "Philadelphia Phil", and after cornering him in the bathroom, shoots him. Don't worry its with paint-balls, red and blue paint-balls. After being beaten and humilated by his hero, Paul continues to be a fan. It turns out the beating actually strengthened his liking in Bishop. OOPS! Well there goes the ending.

The acting is superb. Oswalt plays the best role of his career as this over crazed fan, an example of how crazed we are over just one sport. You never realize how obsessive you are over your favorite team, until it smacks you in the face. The supporting actors also prove their time in the spotlight to be worthwhile. The script, written by Robert Siegel(The Wrestler), is also his directing debut. And may I say a job well done Mr. Siegel. Job Well Done!

Not only is "Big Fan' one of the more funnier comedies of the year, its also just one of the best films of the year. The performances are excellent, the writing/directing is excellent. Everything about "Big Fan", from its first trailer to its geekish "Taxi Driver"ish ending, "Big Fan" is a big win. A complete and utterly captivating movie. If only those fans at the football games were as funny. Oh wait they kinda are.

"Big Fan", is a very funny and at times kinda dark, look at how much we've strived to do one thing and one thing only, root for the team. It almost looks us in the face and laughs. Laughs at not only our rabid obsession, but the obsession of the world. And that is just plain sad. Grade: A