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The Fan
1996
Quick-tempered Gil Renard (Robert De Niro) has an ex-wife who hates him, a son who fears him, and a job that he's about to lose. The only thing that this down-on-his-luck knife salesman can count on is baseball. He's a loyal, die hard fan, specifically when it comes to his favorite player, Bobby Rayburn (Wesley Snipes). Renard .. Read more
| Starring | Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin, John Leguizamo |
|---|---|
| Director | Tony Scott |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Fan
Quick-tempered Gil Renard (Robert De Niro) has an ex-wife who hates him, a son who fears him, and a job that he's about to lose. The only thing that this down-on-his-luck knife salesman can count on is baseball. He's a loyal, die hard fan, specifically when it comes to his favorite player, Bobby Rayburn (Wesley Snipes). Renard has followed Rayburn's career since day one and is thrilled that his hero has just signed with his hometown team, the San Francisco Giants. When Rayburn hits a slump, his number one fan decides to help him by any means necessary. But when Rayburn discovers the lengths to which his admirer has gone to "help" him and begins to fear Renard, the disturbed fan becomes disillusioned with his hero and focuses his aggression toward Rayburn and his family. De Niro is creepy and menacing as the obsessed Renard, a psychotic stalker who ingratiates himself with his victim. Directed by Tony Scott (TOP GUN, CRIMSON TIDE), the film is based on the novel by Peter Abrahams.
| Starring | Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin, John Leguizamo, Benicio Del Toro, Patti D'Arbanville, Andrew J. Ferchland |
|---|---|
| Director | Tony Scott |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 51 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 27 Sep 1999 Production year: 1996 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Robert De Niro plays the psycho fan from hell and the object of his obsession is baseball star Wesley Snipes in this misfiring thriller from Tony Scott. When Snipes is out of form and the San Francisco Giants hit a losing streak, pitiful loser De Niro moves into action with fatal consequences. Despite being directed by Scott with his trademark flash and dash, the sometimes over-vigorous use of mannered camera angles does nothing for an implausible plot that's short of both suspense and surprise. Scott's ace card is De Niro putting on his Taxi Driver act to good effect once more. For even though the edgy persona is familiar, it's all this vulgar exploitation essay has to offer.
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A hyperactive thriller that makes little effort to investigate the fraught relationship between fan and hero; the emphasis here is on shock and sensation.
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
The Fan
Okay, so its a bit predictable. However, it is still definitely worth a watch if just for de Niro playing a slightly more psychotic Willy Loman. It is based on baseball, but it's not necessary to be an expert - it could equally apply to Beckham & co.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
No home run, but no strike either
This is a very generic obbsessed fan movie but what makes this better is the casting of Wesley Snipes and Robert De Niro, while it is one of De Niro's weakest films (he has a high standard except a few we can forget Showtime etc) but still holds enough suspence to keep you watching some films are born for the home movie audience hom many times do you see a film at the cinema and say it wasn't not great but would be a good rental, this is one of them.
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News and features
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The Fan
Quick-tempered Gil Renard (Robert De Niro) has an ex-wife who hates him, a son who fears him, and a job that he's about to lose. The only thing that this down-on-his-luck knife salesman can count on is baseball. He's a loyal, die hard fan, specifically when it comes to his favorite player, Bobby ...
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