Big Fan

Review by: Matt Kerwin "Kosher Kid"

3.2/4 Banana Peels

It’s a dark, cold and desolate Friday night in Staten Island this is where we first encounter the short, tubby 35 year old man, Paul Aufiero. He sits in a small enclosed corridor, his place of sanctuary, also known as a toll booth in a parking garage. Paul works the night shifts as a parking garage attendant and he seems to be at ease while on the clock. He mindlessly ignores the cars that pass through, like they are taking him away from something that’s really important inside his booth. Around him in his microscopic work space is a radio and a doodling pad with a pen. He makes good use of these items while softly mumbling to himself and writing his thoughts down on the pad while listening to a local sport’s talk radio station. He seems perturbed by what the current caller, known as Philadelphia Phil is telling the DJ. Phil is mocking the local sports team, the New York Giants and predicting that his team the Philadelphia Eagles will be victorious over the Giants come Sunday night. It is in this moment where we discover that Paul Aufiero is not your ordinary parking garage attendant. In fact Paul lives a double life. By day, he is your average parking garage attendant and by night he is a super fan of the New York Giants football team.

The movie Big Fan directed by Robert D. Siegel starring Patton Oswalt is more than just a sports movie, its disturbing tale of one man’s so called life. As I was watching this film I kept thinking, “There are people in this world just like Paul". Paul lives with his mother who feeds, clothes, and shelters him everyday. Like a 10 year old kid, Paul has a poster above his bed; the poster is of his favorite football player Quantrell Bishop. However Paul is more than just a “fan” he is obsessed with Bishop and the Giants. He identifies so strongly with Bishop, his idol that it’s kind of alarming. Paul thinks he is the city of New York, his team, and his hero. When the Giants lose, you see a piece of Paul lose with them. He bleeds that bright blue and red, until the next game rolls around the following week. Supporters of opposing teams like Philadelphia Phil are enemies. Watching every Giants game come Sunday is not just a hobby for Paul and his buddy Sal, it’s a job. Unfortunately Paul thinks he has a life, a wonderful life as a super fan.  I recommend this film to anyone that likes a good character study with very dark undertones.

upcoming reviews- A Serious Man, The Believer, A Prophet, Shutter Island, Gomorrah