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Sundance First Look: Patton Oswalt in Robert Siegel's Big Fan

by Alex Billington
December 22, 2008

With the Sundance Film Festival only 24 days away, early buzz is starting to build around a few films. One of those, titled Big Fan, stars Patton Oswalt as a "parking garage attendant who happens to be the New York Giants' biggest fan." His world is turned upside down after an altercation with his favorite player. The film is both written and directed by Robert Siegel, an up-and-coming filmmaker with the screenplay to The Wrestler being his only big credit so far. We were sent a handful of photos from the film which we've shared below. I know Big Fan is already one of the few films I'm incredibly excited to see at Sundance!

Patton Oswalt in Big Fan

Paul Aufiero (Oswalt), 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 (Kevin Corrigan), 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.

Stay tuned for more on Big Fan as we near the kick off the Sundance Film Festival on January 15th. The film hasn't been bought and doesn't have a distributor yet. You can expect a full review from us the moment we catch the film. All of our Sundance coverage can be found right here all throughout January.

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Related categories: First Look, Indies, Sundance 09

Movieraider321

I'm sorry Alex, really I am, but this movie just sounds awful. The idea is rehashed from a collection of other films. He meets his biggest hero, and the hero lets him down. Big frekin surprise. He wrote The Wrestler. Sure a great film, but that does not mean this one will do the same. Plus people will go into this seeing Patton Oswalt, and think "Holy cow, this is going to be hilarious." and it won't be. I just wish you would tone down your giddy fanboyisms to a minimum. Talk trash or sing it's praises when you have seen it. Set your expectations for every film low and you will be happy, set them high and you will be dissapointed. You need to learn how to analyze a good film. Your judging this based on photos. Now feel free to completely go off on me and tell me I have no idea what I'm talking about. But I'm just expressing my personal belief just like you have done on so many other articles.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Wow... First off, you do know what you're talking about, but that viewpoint is only yours. I don't go into every movie expecting crap... I'm an optimist, not a pessimist. I'm sorry, but I'm a little more hopeful than that. And writing The Wrestler is a good start, it obviously proves he's quite capable. Sure I'll still sing my praise after, but I'm also about the hype. And this time it's one of the few that I think could be good, although we still have yet to see. No need to be so negative all the time...
dan

thanks for the info on this new movie alex. the premise sounds pretty good. after you've seen it, let us know what mood the director was shooting for in this film. (comedy?,drama ?) just on info given, it sounds like it'll have the same feel that "ghostworld" had.
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

Sounds like it's worth checking out to me. If anyone can project slovenly fanboy devotion, it's Patton Oswalt.
jason

too bad he didn't meet Plaxico Burress...that would have been too creepy.
THERBLIG

Yeah Alex is right, Sure the plot has been done or may even seem played but the guy did give us the wrestler and its intense. And come one Patton oswalt is in it, you gotta love it. The guy is funny as hell.So its not you scarry movie or house bunny! but Movieraider321 im sure you even have some corny films in your collection. I for one want to see this. Everyone wants a blockbuster for everyfilm they see and whats funny is the people that act like that always think they know it all about the films. Sorry to tell you but half of the so called Blockbusters that came out WERE BUSTED! theres only a handlful that were worthy to note: IRONMAN, TDK, HULK, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL ETC....... Anyhow, for all the people that say that it sounds horrible your still going to rent it when it comes out on dvd or download it so SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!
alex

So how do you get into Sundance? Yeah I know you have to buy tickets, but there are so many movies and all... How do you know which one is the best.
Scott McHenry

What the hell is wrong with you #1
Brooke

I'm with you Alex, this has the potential to be really, really good.
Leland R

#2 This doesn't seem like a simple let down story. Also these pics to not scream HAPPY. Especially the second one. Anyone who see's that pic thinking they are going into a comedy is an idiot.
Movieraider321

#6 I don't want a blockbuster with every film I see. Honestly, this movie doesn't look as bad as I oringially stated, I looked more into it, and it's more up my alley of film genre than anything. Regardless I will wait and see.
OneBadAce

Sounds like The Fan if it turns sadistic haha.
http://firstshowing.net Andy Adair

I LOVE Patton Oswalt. Can't wait.
http://mp3mash.blogspot.com YRG

Thanks for the pictures. The film sounds funny; perfect casting for Oswald, who has yet to break out as a mainstream comedic star. I hope this movie doesn't straddle the line too much between drama and comedy, as it could be really funny if it leans more towards comedy. Just from the premise alone, I envisioned that the scene in which Oswald gets beat up could be darkly funny. Looking forward to a trailer.
Hobbes

Gawd, Alex, you haven't even seen the movie and already so negative! I like Oswald a lot - but anything with Kevin Corrigan in it is always the better for it.
Hobbes

.. my previous statement was aimed at #1, not Alex - my bad.
James

Saw it over the weekend at a film festival in Boston. EXCELLENT film! Patton Oswalt does a stupendious job at this dramatic role. The story is actually original and moving at times. A must see!
http://bigfanmovie.com First Independent

For those of you that are interested, "Big Fan" premieres in New York City on August 28th. Check out the website: BIGFANMOVIE.COM for many more release dates nation-wide and further information. You can become a big fan on facebook and myspace. Here is the link to the trailer especially for you, YRG: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810057586/trailer
Neal

Wow, that would be so weird if this movie actually had a plot that had already been used. I mean, I refuse to watch a movie that shares any plot twists with any other movie. That may be why I have not seen a movie in 30 years.
Hobbes

I saw the movie. It's great. The director, Robert Sieigel won BEST BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR at the Gotham Awards. (Patton was nominated as Best Breakthrough Actor). Go see the movie when it comes to your town. Kevin Corrigan is outstanding as supporting actor, deserves an award. The rest of the cast is great. What else can I say?