While watching this movie, it's best to keep in mind that the word "fan" is a shortened form of "fanatic." Patton Oswalt is disturbingly good as Paul, a 36 year-old pathetic shlub who still lives with his mother and works a dead-end job as a parking lot attendant. His life revolves around the NY Giants and calling in to sports radio shows to deliver rants he carefully composes while he passes the time in his parking attendant booth. One night in a strip club, Paul meets his favorite player—who proceeds to beat Paul within an inch of his life. The rest of the film becomes a distressing and insightful commentary on the vaunted status we afford to our sports "heroes," often at the expense of our own sense of self-worth. We witness Paul's inability to understand what's happened to him, which results in a growing sense of dissociation, ultimately leading to a sad and pitiable attempt to assert his loyalty and strength.
Review of Big Fan
