reviewed by Brian "The Naked Gun" Felts & Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
Lindsey, played by Drew Barrymore (50 First Dates,) is a career minded women whose life is driven by
her successful career. She meets Ben, played by Jimmy Fallon (Taxi,) who is a school teacher but is
an obsessed fan of the Boston Red Sox. Lindsey falls for Ben before the season starts, and doesn't
quite understand how intense of a fan he is until the season starts and she tries to have a relationship
that must work around the Red Sox drive to the World Series.
"Fever Pitch" brings to life the relationship dilemma that women have with men who are fans of a sports
team, be it baseball, football or whatever. A lot of women have a hard time understanding the devotion
a man has to his team. Likewise, men do not understand the problem women have with their devotion.
This movie brought to light the acting talents of both Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. This is the first
movie I have seen Fallon in that I have been able to stand him and Barrymore needs to continue to find
directors who now HOW to direct her so she can continue to do quality work. Just a hint, Charlie's Angel's
is not that movie or director(s).
I also enjoyed the direction by the Farrelly brothers who continue to show that when they have a
modicum of talent in front of the camera, they produce quality movies. I also found the screenplay
by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel was written smartly and humorous even if it the resolutions to the
conflict were unoriginal which creates conflict for me because more often then not I do not like there
screenplays. They are very hot and cold writes for me, either I like their work, like "Spies Like Us",
or I hate it, like "A League of Their Own."
Overall, I say go and see this movie with someone you love, and if the two of you can relate to the movie
then even better, maybe you will learn something that you can use latter on.
Brian - the Naked Gun
Yes, it definitely sucked seeing this smart romantic comedy without someone to inflict what you learned upon with you. You should bring a date. I agree with Brian. Jimmy Fallon (Taxi) gave his best performance, despite how much I've disliked his other resume items. I strongly feel the Farrelly Brothers (Shallow Hal) have made the later few movies exhibitions for roping in outlandish comedic actors who think they're way funnier than they actually are; case in point, Jack Black in Shallow Hal. Barrymore's presence was not monumental to the picture overall, although she did a great job. Call me biased, but I would've liked to have seen Jennifer Aniston in that role instead. Screenwriters Babaloo Mandel and Lowell Ganz (City Slickers, EdTV) are two of my favorite comedy writers of the last 25 years. This is no exception to the strong body of work they've already created. However, in every Mandel Ganz script, there is some sort of outlandish and ridiculous scene thrown in, which steps outside the rest of the picture. It finally came in Act Three, when Barrymore's character jumps from the back wall of Fenway Park, only to stand and out run the cops and event security. I would've preferred to see her with at least a limp, cause that fall would've done damage. I'm sorry. Brian is also write stating the picture is about relationships and not baseball. The core of this story could've been told just as well exchanging Ben's passion for the Red Sox with his passion for ANYTHING, like food or movies. In the past, I've planned dates around the release of long awaited motion pictures, like the new Star Wars episodes. The picture uses the Red Sox to show men need a constant in their life. A relationship(s) is not a constant. Relationships are flimsy, ebb and flow, making them extremely fun, but not a constant in a man's life. Sports is one way a man finds that need for constancy, and FINALLY, thanks to the Farrelly Brothers, there is a movie which exposes that quality. This picture is high quality entertainment, and I wouldn't miss it if you like comedies, a fan of any sports team and just looking for a warm laugh. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
This movie was by far the best performance that Jimmy Fallon has produced on the big screen. Another
romantic comedy produced by the Farrelly brothers who brought out the talents of Fallon and Drew Barrymore,
"Fever Pitch" is a nice movie which is more about relationships than Baseball.