Fever Pitch

[ilovemovies]

This romantic comedy starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore and directed by The Farrelly brothers has a sneak preview this weekend (there was one tonight and another tomorrow night) and comes out next week.

I saw the movie tonight myself. And I wouldn't have known it was a Farrelly brothers movie by watching the movie. It has NONE of the outrageous humor that has populated all of their movies (Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, There's Something About Mary, Stuck on You, Shallow Hal, Me Myself and Irene). A baseball hitting Barrymore in the forehead is about as outrageous as it gets (Don't worry it's not as lame as it sounds though it isn't as funny as it could have been though that could be because of the fact that it's in every damn commercial!).

This is their most serious movie since Outside Providence and it has even less humor than that movie. Oh, there are some cute and funny moments to be sure. But as a whole, the movie isn't nearly as funny as you would expect.

Still, the movie works thanks largely to the appealing pair of Fallon and Barrymore. Barrymore is especially good and the camera loves her. She glows in all of her scenes. And I think people are going to be surprised by how good Fallon is here. He's not mugging infront of the camera like he did in Taxi (though I actually kinda enjoyed that movie). He has a real character to play and is actually pretty good here.

So as a whole, the movie could have been a bit better. But I still enjoyed myself.

** 1/2 (out of ****)

[Moviefan02000]

What happened to the awesome threads in this forum? :(

http://movies.go.com/i/movies/592245/gallery/feverpitch_2.jpg

http://movies.go.com/i/movies/592245/gallery/feverpitch_3.jpg

MPAA Rating
PG-13- for crude and sexual humor, and some sensuality

Genre(s)
Sports, Romance, Comedy

Starring
Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, Lenny Clarke, Jack Kehler, James B. Sikking

Director(s)
Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly

Writer(s)
Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel

Release Date
April 8, 2005

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JNW4.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://movies.go.com/i/movies/592245/gallery/feverpitch_8.jpg

I don't think FEVER PITCH looks very good, I like romantice comedies but this just looks blah. I'll still see it though.

[st3v3n]

im seeing it tonight. ill let you guys know how it is

[Fisting Ackbar]

Haven't seen any trailers or tv spots about this, so I can't really judge it, but since I don't care for the two leads I'm not that interested. Perhaps if I read more good stuff about I might change my mind, but no guaranty.

[moviegroupie]

what happened to the threads ? people are lazy . servers here are slow.

[ChemicalRomance]

WHY WOULD ANYONE SEE THIS.

<---Lives in New York.

<---Might be a little bit bitter...

[st3v3n]

well, i liked it. it was better than i thought it was. being a fan of jimmy fallon, its nice to see him in a good role. its hardly recognizable as a ferrely brothers movie, but its a fun distraction for the night.


i'd still take Sin City over this any day however :P

[go2]

ebert and roeper gave it two big thumbs up so it might be very good and it does look good.

[TheDeadWalk]

I hate Jimmy Fallon, and anymore Drew Barrymore is starting to look like that lead character from the movie "MASK" about that boy that has Elephantitus in the face.

I also don't like how they had to film a final shot of the movie on the field just as the Redsox won the world series. Boston fans everywhere are jumping around celebrating, only to look over and see those two fucks making out on their tv screen.

[SkyNet]

saw this tonight... funny as shit movie... i can def imagine this movie doing real real good business! Pry go see it this weekend again with some ladies.

[Moviefan02000]

It looks okay but I doubt I'd like it very much.

[donna542004]

A rental for me.
Donna A.

[The Prowler]

Well since I have loved every Farrelly Brother movie, I am definately seeing this. Just guessing from what ILovemovies said it looks kinda simular in tone to Outside Providence which is one of my favorite movies. I just love even the subtle humor that the Farrelly brothers have and even the laugh out loud moments. I think they have real talent but it is almost damn impossible to live up to their biggest hit Something About Mary or Dumb and Dumber. Its kinda like Pearl jam living up to their album Ten or any band that has a hit right out of the gates. While I am not a huge fan of Fallon I really adore Barrymore. I think she is likeable in all of her movies and usually picks good movies except for Charlies Angels 2.

Although some of the scenes might be unbearable since I am a Cardinal fan I think I will enjoy this. I just need to convince my fiance its not entirely a baseball movie rather a coming of age romantic comedy. I am really hoping it hits home kinda like Outside Providence did.

Dumb and Dumber 9/10
Kingpin 8/10
Something about Mary 9/10
Outside Providence 9/10
Shallow Hal 8/10
Me Myself and Irene 7/10
Say It Aint So 7/10
Stuck on You 6/10

[Mr-Blonde]

Originally posted by pyscho dude
What happend to the Farelly brothers? They used to be funny. It seems like lately they spend more time trying to teach us lessons as opposed to making us laugh. They only seem to be funny when either working with Jim Carrey or making an R movie.

Kingpin was friggin' hilarious! But yeah the Farrellys have gone down hill in a big way.

Originally posted by TheDeadWalk
I hate Jimmy Fallon, and anymore Drew Barrymore is starting to look like that lead character from the movie "MASK" about that boy that has Elephantitus in the face.

I spit my soda out on that one. :p

[pyscho dude]

What happend to the Farelly brothers? They used to be funny. It seems like lately they spend more time trying to teach us lessons as opposed to making us laugh. They only seem to be funny when either working with Jim Carrey or making an R movie.

[DareDevil]

The more i hear bout it the more i like it, think it might be a good one to take the gf too

wut happened to the Johny Knxville / S. Olympics movie, i thought they filmed that a while ago, was it not the first film they made after stuck on you? well never the less, i guess we'll see on this one

[thompsoncory]

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/fever_pitch/_group_photos/drew_barrymore3.jpg

Known for their trademark gross-out comedies such as THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and ME, MYSELF & IRENE, the Farrelly Brothers have made a name for themselves by creating likable characters in unbelievably absurd situations. However, over the past few years, the two brothers have tried their best to distance themselves from the genre that made them famous. Instead, they have made softer PG-13 rated comedies thatr still make you laugh but also have real heart to them. 2001’s SHALLOW HAL still offered plenty of comedy, but also had a real heart to it as well. 2003’s STUCK ON YOU was a film about brotherly love between siamese twins. It also offered plenty of comedy but also gave the audience a sweet story with geniunely likable characters. Their latest film, this year’s FEVER PITCH, shows how much they have changed over the past few years. For their latest film is not only the pair’s best film, it’s also one of the best romantic comedies in years.

The story tells the tale of a Red Sox fan named Ben. After a troublesome move to Boston leaves him with no friends, the 7-year old is taken to a baseball game with his uncle Carl at Fenway Park. Almost immediately he falls in love with the game, the atmosphere and the feel of the whole experience. Fast forward to October 2003. Ben (Jimmy Fallon) is now teaching 9th grade honors geometry and is a bigger Red Sox fan than ever. His apartment is showered with Red Sox memorobilia, from shower curtains to phones. Due to his obsession he has never been able to carry a successful relationship. However, this all changes when he meets Lindsay Meeks (Drew Barrymore), a successful business consultant, while on a field trip with some of his students. He follows his gut and asks her out. She initially rejects him, for she is used to dating guys who are just like her, but due to the advice of her friends she takes a chance and later accepts his offer. As the months pass, the two become closer and closer and it is very evident that they are falling madly in love. But then April comes, and the true extent of Ben’s obsession is revealed. Initially accepting of his favorite pasttime, Lindsay accompanies him to several games (he has great season tickets that his uncle left him when he died) and is introduced to his “second family,” the people that surround Ben’s seats. However, as the months pass and the Red Sox get closer and closer to the playoffs, it begins to cause turmoil to their relationship. At this point Ben must decide. Is it better to live happily ever after with the love of your life or stay with his favorite pasttime and childhood traditions?

Part of the reason this movie works so well is that the script really develops all the characters. The typical friend characters seen in most rom-coms for under fifteen minutes actually have a lot of development here, complete with backstories and distinct character traits. The writers also insert plenty of witty lines and a lot of heart and soul into this project, making it all the more enjoyable.

Drew Barrymore is absoluetely charming and adorable as Lindsay. Barrymore has always been one of my favorite actresses and she has the rare ability to light up the screen with a single smile. She gives an excellent performance and is very likable here. She makes her character very believable and I really felt for her when she was faced with some tough decisions. Jimmy Fallon, previously seen in last year’s underrated TAXI, really proves here that he can carry a picture. He gives a smart, likable and well-rounded performance as Ben, and you can really see why he loves the game so much. This film also proves that while he is great in comedy, he can also handle dramatic moments as well. The pairing of these two actors togther creates a couple that you really root for and desperately want to work through their troubles.

Those looking for a typical Farrelly Brothers comedy will be disappointed by this film, mainly because it doesn’t follow their typical formula. It’s not a laugh-out-loud comedy at all. It’s more of a heartwarming and cute romance with lots of comedic elements. FEVER PITCH is not only a tale of romance and true love, it’s also a tale of tradition, change and growing up. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that will have you cheering in the stands by the end. In closing, FEVER PITCH hits a home run. Not only is it a winning romantic comedy, it also has an excellent message and some great performances from the two leads. I couldn’t recommend it higher.

9/10 (A-)

[Browntown]

Review: Fever Pitch

http://www.browntownjohnny.com/index.php

The Farrelly's (D&D-Kingpin-Stuck on You) directed "Fever Pitch" because it was the right time to do a fan letter to all Boston Red Sox fans. It actually is a remake of a 1997 British comedy about soccer mania in the UK (Nick Hornsby wrote the autobio). The "SAWKS" did win the pennant last season and broke "the curse of the Bambino" so it was the right move to do this movie. The wrong thing to do is not make it great, I mean really great. The Farrelly's made a romantic comedy that is way too long and just sometimes sweet but no real punch. The Celtics based comedy "Celtic Pride" with Dan Ackroyd had it right about the silliness of sports fanatics, and "Fever Pitch" just does not have the curve.

The story of a budding romance between Lindsey and Ben (Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon) is just fine until Lindsey finds out that Spring Fever is not about love....it's Baseball season! Ben is a diehard SAWKS fan with primo seats (left to him by his dead uncle-played by Boston comic Lenny Clarke in prologue). Will the love stand the test of time? Boy meets girl..loses girl...gets her back.....who cares. It just is a nice movie without a clue on how to be original. Mandle and Ganz (writers of Billy Crystal and Ron Howard's comedies) keep it safe with neat things like the old 'girl gets hit by foul ball' scene and the 'dinner with the parents' scene. If you see these scenes in a movie.....it's hacky.

The major problem with this movie is it's star, Jimmy Fallon...or just call him "SNL holdover guy". Couldn't get Adam Sandler huh? Just get another 'SNL Guy". Sandler would have made this movie more enjoyable (I can't believe I just said that!). Fallon is a light weight (his debut movie was the horrible "Taxi") and I lost interest instantly. Barrymore just seems to be doing the usual thing she does and is miscast as a high powered exec on the move. There are a few bright spots (for Boston Fans) and Jo Beth Williams is still smokin hot in her 50's. I am a diehard Yankee fan and I wanted to see the real Sox mania (Jet-ahh Swallahs) of bad sportsmanship in fanatic Beantown. Lukewarm stale beer and cold weenies.

[TornDaredevil]

While I didn't hate it, JoBlo was right on the mark. It just kinda sits on screen wallowing in mediocrity. Maybe it didn't help that I was one of three people in the theater, but it was boring some of the time and predictable all the way through. I really don't like Drew Barrymore but I don't mind Jimmy Fallon. Still, I can't see myself watching this again. Oh well.

6/10

[CyclicNightmare]

Any self-respecting Red Sox fan should boycott this. You should know why.

[TornDaredevil]

Originally posted by CyclicNightmare
Any self-respecting Red Sox fan should boycott this. You should know why.

I'm not really a Sox fan, but that was pretty tasteless how they had those two celebrating on the field at the end of the Series...

[daddiefatsacks]

Im not a red sox fan, im not a jimmy fallon fan, but i really liked this movie.

I went and saw it with my girlfriend, and the similarities of the situations in the movie i could definately relate to in my life. I love baseball, its been my life since i was a little kid, i've gone to hundreds of blue jays game, and well, comparing it to my recent girlfriend, she doesn't know shit about the game, the jays and how passionate i am about them.

As a movie, its never boring, sure its cliched, and the end is retarded and rushed, but i was definately entertained throughout, Fallon was pretty good, Barrymore grew on me.

7/10

[Dee93]

i agree, as a sox fan i can not stomach this movie. Seeing Drew (who is NOT HOT) and Fallon in the stand during my beloved team's playoff run was bad enough, but right after they win the WS having the camera go to those two kissing on the field is unforgivable. This movie and all they buzz about it shits all over what the sox did, and what they really mean to to their fans, The F-Brothers should know that. Granted i've never seen the movie, but i've never met a sox fan who acts like Fallon does.

To people not from Boston, or not sox fans i can see how you'd think we're all over reacting, but believe me, thats just how attached to this team we truely are.

[freakandgeek]

fever pitch. love jimmy fallon. drew barrymore too. grew up in boston, so man, just gotta love this movie! jimmy fallon is awesome!