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Fever Pitch Our rating: Rate this movie   MPAA rating: PG-13 (for crude and sexual humor, and some sensuality) Theater release: April 08, 2005 by 20th Century Fox Directed by: Bobby & Peter Farrelly Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes Cast: Drew Barrymore (Lindsey Meeks), Jimmy Fallon (Ben), Lenny Clarke (Uncle Carl), Jack Kehler (Al), James B. Sikking (Doug Meeks) Related: Talk About It/Family Corner

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Directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly have helmed some disgusting and offensive movies (Kingpin; Me, Myself, and Irene; and There's Something about Mary), so in the case of Fever Pitch, the duo's latest endeavor, audiences may be surprised to find that the Farrelly brothers keep their gross-out antics to a minimum in exchange for a successful romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, and a baseball team.

Fever Pitch is loosely based on a story by author Nick Hornby (who also wrote the novel that inspired Hugh Grant's 2002 film, About a Boy). In Hornby's original, the main character is obsessed with soccer, but in Fever Pitch, the sport changes to baseball—and Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), a man obsessed with the Boston Red Sox. When asked to place his life's priorities in order, Ben replies, "Red Sox … sex … and breathing!"

Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore star in this romantic comedy

Ben's love for the Sox began one childhood day on a trip to Fenway Park with Uncle Carl, who introduced 8-year-old Ben (played by Jason Spevack, possibly the cutest child actor around) to the hometown team. But Uncle Carl, well aware of the miserable Sox history, warned, "Careful, kid. They'll break your heart." Even the narrator says Red Sox fans are in a league of their own as "one of God's most pathetic creatures." But, that doesn't stop loyal Sox fans from showing up at the park year after year in hopes of a championship.

For the most part, the world is right with Ben (minus the Curse of the Bambino). His apartment looks like a Red Sox gift shop, he inherited his Uncle Carl's season tickets, and Opening Day is just weeks away. Then, Ben takes some of his promising math students on a field trip and meets Lindsey Meeks (the ever-adorable Drew Barrymore), a "numbers" career woman with killer looks. Ben, taking flak from his students about being out of Lindsey's league, decides to take a chance and ask her out. At first, Lindsey says no. But after reflecting on what she really wants out of life—perhaps more than a 90-hour work week—she decides to take a chance on Ben. And, thus begins the strange, yet endearing, courtship between the two main characters. Throw in the Sox and the movie takes on its own version of a twisted love triangle.

Barrymore watches as Fallon goes for the slapstick

Despite the fact that I'm a Yankees fan (and watching this film made me relive some nightmarish memories), the film works as a romantic comedy. Barrymore and Fallon have loads of chemistry. They seem comfortable working together and they portray their characters with sincerity. Maybe it's because Ben and Lindsey are not caricatures. As it stands, we probably all know someone with an "unhealthy" obsession with sports—or work or a hobby or any of a variety of possible addictions. We probably also understand how that obsession has hindered and interfered with relationships. Compared to the romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan, in which Jennifer Lopez—a cleaning woman at a New York hotel—falls for a rich guy, Fever Pitch just feels more comfortable and accessible.

Take me out to the ballgame

Though Ben and Lindsey hop in the sack a bit too quickly, there's no denying that they care for each other. After their first date, Lindsey, suffering from food poisoning, spends the evening vomiting. Ben cleans up the mess . . . and expects nothing in return. He simply wants to serve Lindsey the best he can—putting her to bed, buying her Gatorade, placing a wastebasket next to the bed, sterilizing her bathroom, and brushing her dog's teeth (um, don't ask). For a light-hearted romantic comedy, there are a number of genuinely touching moments of love.

While I wouldn't recommend this film for younger teens, I can recommend it to more mature viewers looking for an option on a date night or a movie group. Fever Pitch would also make a nice rental down the road.

Talk About It

1. Do you have an obsession? Can you relate to Ben's love for the Sox? Can you relate to Lindsey's commitment to her job? How can we better manage our time? What do our priorities say about our lives?
   
   

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