Fever Pitch (2005)

The American version of Fever Pitch does a fine job of changing little aspects of the lead character in order to make him both more American and more palatable to American audiences. The original British character, obsessed with the football club Arsenal, was prickly even aside from his obsession. The obsession seemed a natural part of his less-than-pleasant psychological makeup. Jimmy Fallon's Red Sox-loving Ben has had his rough edges sanded down. His character lacks the full-blown misanthropy of the original character, making him more of a man-child than anything else. Fallon smartly underplays much of the film, an unexpected surprise after his manic work in Taxi and on Saturday Night Live. He and Drew Barrymore have a very sweet chemistry together, but it's possible that is more to Barrymore's credit. Considering her track record in these things, it becomes more and more apparent that Drew Barrymore is a big reason this film earns as much good will as it does. Here is an actress, just turned 30, who has figured out exactly what it is she does very well onscreen and is able to shape projects to fit her. Barrymore produced this film and if nothing else she understands exactly how to make films her fans will enjoy while straying just enough from the expected formula to keep people interested. Peter and Bobby Farrelly will never be thought of as visual stylists, but they know to trust their performers and they are sports fans. These two aspects underscore Ben's likeability. This Fever Pitch never comes close to matching the psychological depth of the original adaptation (starring an outstanding Colin Firth), but it does make for a nice time at the movies. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide