BIG FAN

Year: 2009
USA: First Independent Pictures
Cast: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kuritz, Matt Servitto, Gino Cafarelli, Serafina Fiore, Polly Humphreys, Joe Garden, Jonathan Hamm, Sidne Anderson
Director: Robert Siegel
Country: USA
USA: 86 mins
USA Rated: R for language and some sexuality
USA Release Date: 28 August 2009 (Limited Release - New York)


Synopsis

Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt) , a 35 year-old parking-garage attendant from Staten Island who still lives at home with his mother (Marcia Jean Kuritz), describes himself as the "world's biggest New York Giants fan". He is completely occupied with visiting his local sports-radio station 760 The Zone, where he mouths off his support for the NY Giants, often against his mysterious on-air rival, Eagles fan Philadelphia Phil (Michael Rapaport) - much to the dismay of his family who think he's throwing his life away with this obsession.

One night, Paul and his best friend Sal (Kevin Corrigan) spot Giants star linebacker Quantrell Bishop (Jonathan Hamm) at a local gas station. They impulsively follow his limo into Manhattan, to a strip club, and follow him inside, but when Paul cautiously decides to approach Bishop, things do not go as planned!

The aftermath of this brief encounter brings Paul's world crashing down around him as his family, the team, the media and the authorities engage in a tug of war over Paul, testing his allegiances and questioning everything he believes in. Meanwhile, the Giants march toward a late-season showdown against the Eagles, unaware that sometimes the most vicious struggles take place far from the field of play.

Following up his first filmed screenplay, THE WRESTLER, writer-director Robert Siegel once again demonstrates a unique and potent vision of the human experience, in all of it its harsh truths and hopeful humanity.