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Big FanUS Narrative Feature FilmsU.S.A., 2008, 102 mins., color For legions of people, sports teams are religion, and their favorite players are their idols. This notion sparks the hilarious premise of Big Fan, the exhilarating directing debut from Robert Siegel, the screenwriter of The Onion Movie and The Wrestler.Paul Aufiero, a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant from working-class Staten Island, is the self-described “world's biggest New York Giants fan.” One night Paul and his best friend, Sal, spot star Giants linebacker Quantrell Bishop at a gas station in Staten Island. They impulsively follow his SUV into Manhattan to a strip club, where they finally muster up the courage to talk to their hero. What starts out as a dream come true turns into a nightmare as a misunderstanding ignites a violent confrontation, and Paul is sent down a path that will test his devotion to the extreme.Patton Oswalt is perfectly cast as Paul, infusing him with a humanity that renders him empathetic instead of pathetic. Siegel has an innate understanding of—and reverence for—his characters but finds humor in every scene by perfectly capturing the details of their world. From the posters on the walls, to the NFL bed sheets, to the ""spontaneous"" smack talking, he nails it. Big Fan resonates with truth and insight, and the result is a film that will make you laugh and wince at the same time—a very winning combination.
CAST Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto Robert Siegel - Robert Siegel is a writer/director based on New York. He is the author of numerous screenplays, including The Wrestler, which was directed by Darren Aronofsky. From 1996 to 2003, Siegel was editor-in-chief of the satirical newspaper The Onion. He lives near Union Square with his wife and son.
Screenings:
Sun. Jan 18 8:00 p.m. - BIGFA18RN Racquet Club, Park City Tue. Jan 20 11:15 a.m. - BIGFA20RD Racquet Club, Park City Tue. Jan 20 9:00 p.m. - BIGFA20BN Broadway Centre Cinemas VI, SLC Thu. Jan 22 3:15 p.m. - BIGFA22CA Eccles Theatre, Park City Fri. Jan 23 8:30 a.m. - BIGFA23RM Racquet Club, Park City |
