The Fan (1996) – An all star baseball player becomes the unhealthy focus of a down on his luck salesman.
I originally posted this way back in August, and only a couple of people saw it. I figured I’d give it a makeover and re-post it, since this is a project I’ve neglected and will have time for now the IMDb stuff is disappearing.
As part of my Robert De Niro project I’m working my way through the great mans films. The Fan is one of my personal favourites, maybe that’s because I feel it is not really considered great by that many people……..on a huge budget it did poorly at the box office and wasn’t enjoyed by critics or movie goers, but yet for some reason I absolutely loved it. Mainly because De Niro puts in one of the best and most terrifying performances I have ever seen.
The Fan is about a man named Gil Renard (Robert De Niro), a struggling knife salesman and a temperamental divorcé who has been neglecting his responsibilities, namely his young son and his job which he is on the verge of losing due to poor sales. Gil has a fervent loyalty to his favorite sport, baseball, and his favorite team, the San Francisco Giants. Gil is obsessed with the Giants’ newest player, Bobby Rayburn (Wesley Snipes) and as Rayburn goes through a slump at his new team, Gil considers a teammate of Rayburn’s, Juan Primo (Benicio del Toro) is the reason for this slump and decides to take matters into his own hands. From shouting at his own son, stalking and saving Rayburn’s son from drowning to ultimately taking lives and kidnapping, we witness a man on a total meltdown who has no limits.
The Fan shows De Niro at his most dangerous and tragic. Gil Renard has similarities to his Max Cady & Travis Bickle characters but on closer inspection, Renard is a unique character. Travis Bickle may well be a sociopath, and Max Cady a cold-blooded killer; but Gil Renard is a man who was just never able to get a handle on his life and has allowed his obsessions to dictate the choices he has made along the way.
De Niro is helped out by a more than decent supporting cast. Wesley Snipes has never been better. I’m not really a huge fan of his, but in this role despite being a bit of an ass at the beginning, towards the end I really felt sympathy for him and his characters journey. He auditioned originally for the Gil Renard role, glad that never turned out! Benicio Del Toro is solid as always playing the rival baseball star, and whilst not on screen too much, his interaction in the sauna especially with Renard was excellent, and thats the point of no return for De Niro’s character and we see just how far he is willing to go. John Leguizamo plays Rayburns manager, quick talking and all about the money but he plays the role well. Finally Ellen Barkin plays a host of a sports phone-in show who comes into contact in her own way with both Rayburn & Renard.
It is not perfect by any means, with the ending being the one thing I would love to have been different, I just felt it was very exaggerated and out of character even for a man as desperate as Renard. Had anyone else played this role I can’t see them bringing the intensity that De Niro brought to it.
In closing, De Niro’s performance in The Fan really is superb and elevates this film from being a mediocre sports drama, becoming one of my personal favourites purely down to watching him play this character. Topped off with an incredible soundtrack, The Rolling Stones featuring heavily, and my favourite scene of De Niro singing along to Shattered is hands down one of the best and creepiest things I have ever seen. If you have never seen The Fan I highly recommend it despite what box office numbers and more professional critics say! It’s dirt cheap to buy on DVD and it seems to be on TV here in the UK at least once a month on some channel, so please check it out if for no other reason than to see a master like De Niro at work.
I’ve included some quotes which really sum up the anger bubbling under the surface on this character, even just doing simple things like doing a sales call and driving with his son.
Gil Renard: [listening to a Rolling Stones song on the car radio] I remember when Mick recorded this in ’78. We had a wild party afterwards.
Richie Renard: Jason Pelligrino’s dad says Mick Jagger’s gay.
Gil Renard: [angrily] Well, Jason Pelligrino’s dad takes it up the ass!
Gil Renard: You sure I can’t interest you in any of this?
Jefferson Sporting Goods Clerk: You got any kayaks?
Gil Renard: You gotta be outta’ your fuckin’ mind, “kayaks”?
Jefferson Sporting Goods Clerk: I could use kayaks.
Gil Renard: Stanley, what the fuck do kayaks have to do with knives?
Jefferson Sporting Goods Clerk: Never mind.
Gil Renard: You fuckin’ asshole, “kayaks” you’re asking me about, when I’m asking you about knives?
Jefferson Sporting Goods Clerk: Yeah. Ok, I understand, sir. Thank you for coming in.
Gil Renard: How about you take some kayaks and stick ’em up your fuckin’ ass, ya moron.
Alastair
/ June 13, 2013Excellent review as usual Mr T.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Thanks Alastair. One of my earlier writings but I doubt I’ve improved too much from then anyway lol!! 🙂
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Alastair
/ June 13, 2013It says what it needs to 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Most backhanded compliment ever…….. 😉
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Alastair
/ June 13, 2013Haha wasn’t meant to be 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Yeah yeah whatever 😉
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Alastair
/ June 13, 2013Haha 😛
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Sir Phobos
/ June 13, 2013This was on tv a couple weekends ago, and I caught a good bit of it. Hadn’t seen it in a while. Yea, I know most people don’t talk about this one too much, but I like it. I think the end works, even though it’s a bit far-fetched. I think at that point, he knew he had nothing left, so fuck it.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Good to hear Phobos. Shame people dismissed it, really is a solid film. As you say, very much a nothing else to lose style ending.
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Sir Phobos
/ June 13, 2013It’s also really creepy when he’s in Snipes’ house, trying on his shirts and stuff. Then, of course, he whips it out on the beach when they’re throwing the ball. If I were Snipes at that moment, I’d be shitting my pants.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Oh yeah. Just casually walking along the most private beach ever…..very creepy. Shower scene still may favourite.
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beautifulorange
/ June 13, 2013Nice write up. But I’ve got to say that I don’t have your love for this one. De Niro’s performance absolutely elevates it beyond being just average – but it still feels a bit too cliched by-the-numbers to be a great film.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013For sure, without De Niro this would be average at best. But he makes it, and maybe I’m slightly biased but I just love watching him here, as this character.
Thanks buddy 🙂
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vinnieh
/ June 13, 2013Haven’t seen this for ages, but always remember De Niro’s chilling performance.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Chilling indeed! Right up there for me as one of his best performances.
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Frame Rates
/ June 13, 2013Haven’t seen this one, but it sounds like the sort of intensity Bobby puts out in King of Comedy. Need to check this out!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Even more intense than King of Comedy. Much more threatening. Hope you like it if you track it down 🙂
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Three Rows Back
/ June 13, 2013Very nicely done as usual! Goodness, not seen this for years. Always had time for Snipes, although Demoliton Man remains my fave Snipes performance.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Demolition Man was good, ill give you his performance there! Thanks buddy 🙂
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Teepee12
/ June 13, 2013I will have to keep an eye out for this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Garry probably has. If it has DiNiro and baseball, I doubt he could possibly miss it 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013As Garry has now commented, I’m sure he can tell you if he thinks you’ll like it! Great film 🙂
Thanks Marilyn
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Cameron
/ June 13, 2013Really good write up! I saw it when it first came out, and remember liking De Niro and not much else. But now I’ll definitely have to give it another look.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013He does make the movie, but there are other good performances. Just not in the same league as bobby 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Cameron 🙂
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Cameron
/ June 13, 2013My pleasure. You do some really good work here!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Thanks, as do you. New to your work, look forward to going through it some more later on 🙂
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garryarmstrong
/ June 13, 2013Nice review of a film that’s always resonated with me. I’m a very passionate baseball fan. Friends used to tease me about DeNiro’s character in “The Fan”. But I’ve never been quite that passionate even on days when I’ve screamed at the television or called down the wrath of God because my team was losing AGAIN. “The Fan” reminds me of another DeNiro film, “The King of New York” where he’s targeted a late night TV talk show host. Jerry Lewis does a very nice dramatic turn in this movie. I must confess there was a time when I’d stand in front of a mirror, straighten my tie and thank the audience for welcoming as the substitute host for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show”. THERE, that skeleton is finally out of the closet!!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Your posts always make me laugh Garry! If you swap baseball for football (soccer) then I’ve been there screaming myself hoarse willing my team on.
Very reminiscent of The King of Comedy, just a more extreme version of it!
Thanks as always for commenting Garry 🙂
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garryarmstrong
/ June 13, 2013Ah, a correction and a typo. obviously should be “The King of Comedy” …and later on “thank the audience for welcoming me….”. My fingers aren’t working well this morning. Thank You! Thank You! And, welcome to “The Tonight Show”.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Haha no worries, I always spell things wrong here and on other sites. Predictive text on my phone catches me out constantly 🙂
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Brian @ Hard Ticket to Home Video
/ June 13, 2013A lighthearted romp!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Very much so!! Too family orientated for your tastes 🙂
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theipc
/ June 13, 2013This has three things going against it in my book: Snipes, Leguizamo and the San Francisco Giants. Hate them all.
PASS!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Fair enough!! Maybe skip this then chief 🙂
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sanclementejedi
/ June 13, 2013I wonder if you will attract a fan like that with your blog 😉
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013Here’s hoping!! 😉
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sanclementejedi
/ June 13, 2013Walk in your house and your blog stalker is trying on your boxer shorts. 😉
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013He’ll have a job, my wife has thrown most of them out as they have holes in. Apparently they aren’t ventilation holes 🙂
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sanclementejedi
/ June 13, 2013I have a funny story about the dangers of boxers with extra holes that is not blog appropriate.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 13, 2013I’m intrigued!! Tease 😉
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Fogs' Movie Reviews
/ June 13, 2013This is not one of DeNiro’s finest hours… I think it deserves the low profile it has amongst his filmography 😦
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Tyson Carter
/ June 14, 2013Not a fan then Fogs?! 😉
I think his performance was excellent, right up there in his roles. But hey, disagreeing is part of the fun.
Cheers buddy
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Foogos
/ June 14, 2013Oh… I thought this was the one with Damon Wayans and Daniel Stern. (Maybe Dan Aykroyd was in it, too.)
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013Haha, no idea about that one. I’ll review that next 😉
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Foogos
/ June 15, 2013I’m 95% sure its called Celtic Pride.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013I just googled it. Well played!! It is indeed. I take back what I said, I’m not touching that. However, should you review it and score it perfectly I’ll eat my words 🙂
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Beer Movie
/ June 14, 2013Cool review. I haven’t seen this, but am going to try and track a copy down now.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013Thanks mate. As it’s been said, De Niro elevates this above average. Worth it for his performance alone 🙂
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Wordschat
/ June 14, 2013Wow Tyson I thought you found the hidden gem The Fan 1981 starring the great Lauren Bacall and James Garner. He is an obsessed record seller and she the starlet actress of his twisted affection. Like King if Comedy with Jerry Lewis this is chilling tale sadly rooted in 20th-21st century reality. Check them both out.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013Sadly not, never heard of it. I do love King of Comedy though, his character is quite similar to this one as some folks have commented.
Cheers for visiting buddy 🙂
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Thomas Priday
/ June 14, 2013I’ve never seen, or really even heard about this film. You make it sound compelling. I might have to check it out!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013You’ll probably hate it, like Clockwork Orange 😉
De Niros performance is far and away the highlight. Hope you enjoy that at least Thomas 🙂
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filmhipster
/ June 14, 2013I liked this movie a lot, time to revisit it.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 15, 2013Good man, well worth another watch 🙂
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Mark Walker
/ June 16, 2013I’d really need to see this again before I could fully comment but I remember being a bit disappointed in it. Not in Bobby, of course. He was outstanding as usual but the film never really worked. It felt too far fetched. I will give it another go someday, though. Nice write-up buddy!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 16, 2013I found the ending a little far fetched, but the rest wasn’t too bad. Bobby was outstanding 🙂
Thanks Mark
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Todd Benefiel
/ June 16, 2013As you know (or maybe don’t know!) I recently went on a baseball-film-buying binge, and of course this was one of the bunch I purchased…but I haven’t watched it yet. When it first came out way back in ’96, I remember reading that the director, when informed by EVERYONE on his crew that you CAN’T play a professional baseball game during a rainstorm, fired back that he didn’t care. So I told myself I didn’t care to watch his film, and never have. But now I will, not only because I own it, but because of your admiration for De Niro’s work in it. So…look for my review, coming soon!
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Tyson Carter
/ June 17, 2013Well, I hope it doesnt let you down!! His performance is excellent, and aside from one scene in the rain……I can’t see why it would be a big deal. When you see it that should make more sense. Not really a game in the rain I wouldnt say…….unless I missed a bit 😉
I look forward to your thoughts, and hope it’s not another Silver Linings 🙂
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ruth
/ June 16, 2013Great review Tyson! I quite like Wesley Snipes and the premise sounds intriguing, I’ll give this a rent one of these days.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 17, 2013If you ever get chance you might have some fun with it. Plus its not horror, per se 😉
Thanks Ruth 🙂
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Monkeyboy
/ June 17, 2013The Fan is one of those films I’m pretty sure I’ve seen but, y’know, I can’t remember a single thing about it. The review’s definitely got me interested in seeing it again though.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 18, 2013It’s on TV here a lot, probably you’ve caught bits of it. De Niro aside its quite forgettable, but as he is so good, I have no problems recommending it so highly 🙂
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lauren
/ June 18, 2013I haven’t seen this film, but De Niro’s performance would prpbably be worth watching.
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Tyson Carter
/ June 18, 2013Definitely worth watching Lauren 🙂
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Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop
/ June 20, 2013Super review dude. Not seen this but sounds pretty good! 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ June 20, 2013It is good mate, even if you go in just for Bobby.
Thanks buddy 🙂
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gregory moss
/ June 21, 2013John Hinkley Jr was carrying around a copy of this book when he was arrested for shooting Ronald Reagan. By a strange coincidence, he was also a big De Niro fan and saw himself as a self-styled Travis Bickle – spooky. 🙂
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Tyson Carter
/ June 21, 2013Look at you bringing the cool trivia!! 😉
Good stuff, cheers Greg
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