The Fan (1996)

Average rating

(63%)

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:	111 mins
Genres:	Drama
Languages:	English
Released:	September 27, 1999
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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.

Rating of 2 stars out of 5

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.