Sport and Cinema.com

In a bit of deft casting, stand up comedian Patton Oswalt stars as Paul Aufiero, a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant from Staten Island, self-described as “world’s biggest New York Giants fan”.

Living at home with his mother, he spends his off hours calling in to a local sports-radio station using scripted rants as “Paul from Staten Island” in support of his beloved team, often against his mysterious on-air rival, Eagles fan Philadelphia Phil. His family berates him for doing nothing with his life, but they don’t understand the depth of his love of the Giants.

Living his life vicariously through his football hero, Quantrell Bishop, Paul’s life gets shaken up as he struggles (or more accurately those around him do) to deal with the consequences after being beat up by his favorite player.

Big Fan is a sadly truthful and darkly humorous picture.

DVD Special Features:

-Outtakes

-Interviews with Rob Siegel and Patton Oswalt

-Downloadable Poster

-Kevin Corrigan Recalls His Own “Big Fan” experience

The S and C Interview: “Big Fan” Writer/Director Rob Siegel

Since we spoke last during the picture’s film festival run, what kind of feedback have you gotten from Joe Public?

writer/director Rob Siegel

Many have come up to me saying “I know that guy’, but they never admit it is them. Yet everyone seems to know someone like that. It does seem to have really struck a chord.

I know one of your favorite filmmakers is Martin Scorsese, do we see a mix of “King of Comedy” meets “Taxi Driver” here in “Big Fan”?

Those are probably the two movies that are most referenced. I certainly have no problems with that. Both are among my favorites. Hopefully it is more an homage than rip off. I’m certainly proud to mentioned in that arena.

You put a spin on it by placing it in a sports realm.

Yes, some critics have called it “Taxi Driver for Sports Fans”. To me there is a little “Saturday Night Fever” in there too. Like Tony shining at the discos. Paul shines on sports radio.

Talk about the initial reaction when you told the producers you wanted to cast a stand up comedian in a semi dramatic performance.

Thankfully there are precedents for that. Many comedians have done great jobs in dramatic roles. Comedians tend to be very dark people. Yeah there is a long cinematic history of funny men taking serious turns. So that wasn’t a real problem.

Patton has never been a lead or done drama, but they trusted me.

Why did you decide on no football footage?

They say necessity is the mother of invention, mainly for legal and budgetary reasons more than anything else. Very expensive plus we were not allowed to shoot inside Giants Stadium.

Do you consider “Big Fan” a sports movie?

Big Fan didn’t have a clear redemption arc like many of the traditional sports films.  But there are many different types, yet when I think of sports movies like “Rudy”, “Hoosiers” and ”Remember the Titans”, they’re the underdogs with the guy getting carried off the field in triumph.

I prefer things a little more gritty and realistic such as “Fat City”  and “The Hustler”.  I also like comedies including “Bull Durham”.

Is sports part of your next film project?

I have other interests and my other scripts reflect that. I think if I came out of the box with three straight sport movies, some might think I myself am obsessed! I will definitely come back to it though down the line as sports are a great playground for stories.