Watch Big Fan

Big Fan is a character study piece that takes an insightful and darkly comedic look into the world of die-hard sports fans. Written and directed by Robert D. Siegel and released in 2009, the film stars Patton Oswalt as Paul Aufiero, a 36-year-old New Yorker who works as a parking garage attendant and spends his free time obsessing over his favorite football team, the New York Giants.

Paul's entire life is consumed by the Giants. He spends every Sunday at home, listening to the game on the radio, and then spending hours afterward analyzing the game and the strategies used by the team. He has all the merchandise, including a Giants blanket that he sleeps with every night. He even has a radio call-in show where he shares his thoughts on the team with other like-minded fans.

One day, Paul finally gets the chance to meet his hero, Giants player Quantrell Bishop, who he idolizes as the ultimate tough guy on and off the field. However, the encounter goes horribly wrong, and Paul ends up getting beaten by Bishop and his entourage. From that moment on, Paul is forced to re-evaluate everything he knows about his beloved Giants, and his life as a superfan slowly starts to unravel.

The film is a slow-burning character study that explores the loneliness and isolation that can come with being a passionate sports fan. Patton Oswalt delivers a career-defining performance as the socially awkward and introverted Paul, whose only connection to the world is through his fandom. His character is a tragic figure that viewers can't help but sympathize with, even as he self-destructs in front of their eyes.

Kevin Corrigan plays Paul's best friend Sal, who is also a big Giants fan but lacks Paul's level of dedication. Michael Rapaport co-stars as Philadelphia Phil, a rival fan who comes into conflict with Paul on his radio show. Both actors round out the cast nicely, with Corrigan bringing a much-needed element of humor to the proceedings and Rapaport supplying some of the film's most tense and uncomfortable moments.

The film's direction is understated, with Siegel allowing the performances to take center stage. He also avoids the typical sports movie tropes, instead focusing on the human element of what it means to be a superfan. The film's gritty and realistic depiction of the world of sports fandom also feels authentic, with many scenes shot on location at real-life football games and events.

One of the film's most striking aspects is its exploration of the relationship between fans and athletes. In most sports movies, the athletes are portrayed as larger-than-life heroes that fans can look up to and admire. But in Big Fan, the veil is lifted, and viewers are shown the ugly side of fandom. The film is not about celebrating the sport or the athlete but about exploring the dark side of obsession and how it can consume and even destroy a person's life.

In conclusion, Big Fan is a darkly comic and insightful character study that is a must-see for fans of both sports movies and character-driven dramas. It is an unflinching look at the dangers of fandom and how it can twist a person's self-identity and lead them down a dangerous path. With an incredible performance by Patton Oswalt and a well-crafted screenplay by Robert D. Siegel, Big Fan is a film that will leave a lasting impact on viewers long after the credits have rolled.

Big Fan is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 70.