Stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt, leading actor in the comedy/drama “Big Fan” opening this weekend, is joining the cast of the “Battlestar Galactica” prequel series “Caprica” in a recurring role. Oswalt will play Baxter Sarno, a popular Caprican comedian talk show host on whose show Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) and Amanda Graystone (Paula Malcomson), ultimately appear.
“Big Fan,” the directing debut of screenwriter Robert Siegel (”The Wrestler,” executive editor of The Onion), takes a focused look at an underachieving working class guy who must address his habit of acting as a doormat for others. It considers the mind of an idol-worshipper and explores how he differs from those in the mainstream.
Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt) is an uber New York Giants fan from Staten Island. He’s obsessed with the game and the team. He listens to sports talk radio daily and calls in nightly to swap insights and insults with other sports fanatics.
Paul is down and out. He lives at home with his mother, and he works as an attendant at a parking lot. He can’t afford to attend Giants games so he and his best bud Sal, (Kevin Corrigan) hang out on game days in the stadium lot and watch the tournaments on TV.
Paul’s love for the game appears harmless until he decides to stalk Giants footballer Quantrell Bishop (Jonathan Hamm) one evening in a chance encounter that turns violent.
After getting the stuffing knocked out of him by his idol, Paul remains a loyal fan and appears to have learned nothing from his experiences. In this way, “Big Fan” challenges conventional thinking. It asks viewers to consider whether there is anything wrong with Paul or his life. Those wanting a definitive answer to this question may be disappointed.
“Big Fan” opens this weekend and stars Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz and Jonathan Hamm. Its running time is 85 minutes.
Check out this video excerpt from “Caprica” followed by a trailer for “Big Fan”:
Here’s a trailer for “Big Fan”: