When deciding to see a movie this weekend my wife suggested we go see Fever Pitch, I was a bit hesitant. The more I thought about it though, the more I wanted to see those Red Sox postseason highlights one more time. I'd seen the press about the movie about which I can tell you that I wasn't too pleased that the main characters here are allowed on the field as the Red Sox celebrated their World Series victory. That notwithstanding, if I have to see a romantic comedy, some baseball in the mix is a good thing.
The Plot
Ben (Jimmy Fallon) is 7 years old and moving to a new neighborhood. His blustery Uncle Lenny helps him fit in with kids by introducing him to the agony that is being a Boston Red Sox fan. I liked that the scene with him as a kid includes famous Sox players Dennis Eckersley and Jim Rice. Though as a purist, I will have to say that the uniforms may have been wrong. I think they were still wearing those tacky doubleknits.
When Ben's Uncle Lenny passes away, he is bequeathed his season tickets, so cementing Ben's Red Sox obsession. Ben becomes a high school math teacher which is ideal for him since it means summers off. His fellow season ticket holders become his "summer family."
Lindsey (Drew Barrymore) is a high-powered executive with a mathematics degree who is still single even though she is about to turn "twenty-ten" (30). She has had a succession of failed relationships maybe because her standards have been so high. Ben meets Lindsay on a class field trip to her office to show a practical application to studying math in college.
Ben and Lindsay meet right after the 2003 baseball season ends. I thought it would have been a good idea for the directors (The Farrelly Brothers, of There's Something About Mary and Shallow Hal fame) to show the Red Sox heartbreaking close to that year as well. In any case, Ben warns Lindsay about what a fanatical Sox fan he is, which she seems to dismiss as exaggeration.
Once the season rolls around, Ben has to attend every home game, of course, with Lindsay right by his side. As Ben predicted, the relationship starts to go sour from his obsessive fandom. His apartment is strewn with Sox memorabilia and most of his wardrobe is Sox related.
Her work begins to suffer because she has to leave early to attend many of the games and she isn't getting enough sleep.
Lindsay's family's first experience with Ben is seeing him act like a total idiot on TV at the Red Sox spring training.
Can Ben curb his obsession to make Lindsay happy? Would Lindsay believe it if he said he would?
Analysis
As far as Farrelly brothers comedies go, this is might be the least funny one I've seen, with the possible exception of Stuck on You. That is not to say there are no funny moments. When Ben gets his season tickets, his friends (among them Willie Gerson, who played Carrie's gay friend on Sex and the City) vie to sit with him at particular games. He gets the idea to have them start dancing, so naturally Lindsay walks in at that point. A bit predictable, but still a good scene.
Another interview I saw related to the movie, said it is more about the relationship than it is about the Red Sox. They said the relationship coincides with the season, the hope of Spring, the heat of summer and cooling off in the Fall. I would be inclined to agree with that.
In any romantic comedy, you see both sides of the relationship (among Lindsay's friends is a character played by Ione Skye, of Say Anything fame). They are skeptical that she can sustain something with a regular guy like "school teacher Ben." Of course, the girlfriends' men love Ben because he has seen every bit of recent Red Sox history.
As the story winds to its conclusion, Ben begins to get a different perspective about what it means to be a Red Sox fan and a sports fan in general. Some of these very perceptive observations hit home with me. No pun intended.
Red Sox Wrap-Up
As a baseball movie, to any Sox fan, this one is going to be a success. The camraderie of fans is a crucial component of your enjoyment of a team. I know this especially, living in the same state the Yankees play in. This is captured quite deftly by the Farrelly brothers' direction and story.
As a romantic comedy, I would call this a failure on a close play at first base. The parts that didn't include baseball dragged somewhat for me. The comedy was not terribly prevalent.
If not for baseball, this movie would not be very good and even with baseball, it comes up just past mediocre.
According to Red Sox super-fan Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), finding romance is about as likely as his beloved team winning the World Series. But when...More at HotMovieSale.com
According to Red Sox super-fan Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), finding romance is about as likely as his beloved team winning the World Series. But when...More at Buy.com
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.