Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Big Fan (2009)

DPBigFanPoster What is it about?


Paul Aufiero, an obsessed New York Giants fan, struggles to deal with the consequences after he is assaulted by his favorite football player and hero.

Who is in it?

Patton Oswalt – Paul Aufiero

Kevin Corrigan – Sal

Michael Rapport – Philadelphia Phil



Favorite Scene:


Sal visits Paul in jail and reveals the upcoming Giants season schedule to him. After looking at the schedule and projecting the Giants season, Paul looks forward to the Patriots game because it’s the day he gets out of jail. Then claims, “it’s gonna be a great year!”.

Favorite Quote:

“It’s gonna be a great year!”

Review:

Big Fan is a film that all sports fans should put time aside to watch. A very realistic film that sheds light on the sports fan that bases his life around his sports team and the world of sports. From the screenwriter of “The Wrestler”, the film does a great job of portraying reality and the life of a devoted sports fan all while acknowledging their over-the-top mindset and humorous behavior.

Patton Oswalt is very convincing in Big Fan as “Paul”, which is somewhat similar to the character of “Spencer” he played on The King of Queens. Oswalt is absolutely believable in the role, and seems comfortable in playing the obsessed-loser hardcore Giants fan content with his life.

The only drawback is the lack of development of the surrounding characters in the plot, and the lack of depth in the overall plot. There are times where you feel like you only know the characters because they are a familiar face, rather than their name and meaning to the film. And what happened to Quantrell Bishop?

Nonetheless, Big Fan is a film is not great, but is definitely not terrible. At the 88 minute run time, it is highly relatable and recommended for the sports fan – in between the games, of course.

Grade: 1.9/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/22/26

Olympic Hockey Teams Hockey took the nation by storm this week as both the men's and women's teams brought home gold medals. I echoed last year with the run the United States Men's and Women's basketball teams had, but there really is a unifying front for these teams on the Olympic stage. As divided as we currently are, it's these kinds of moments, these kinds of runs, where we all feel, even for just a few moments, American.  Really cool stuff, and really cool vibes this week.  Congrats to the many other United States athletes who performed on the Winter Games' big stage.  I'm going to miss the odd effects of watching curling... Laila Edwards I know we're supposed to live in this society where we're now suppressing race, or various identities, in how we perceive or recognize people, moments, and history.  Even from that lens, today's non-DEI scope, it was difficult for me not to feel the moment Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to win a...