The Fan (1996 film)
Encyclopedia
The Fan is a 1996 American thriller film starring Robert De Niro
and Wesley Snipes
. It was directed by Tony Scott
and based on the novel of the same name by Peter Abrahams. The Fan is a psychological thriller that revolves around the sport of baseball, exploring the overt dedication displayed by some of its fanatics.
), a struggling knife salesman, is 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
), recently acquired from the Atlanta Braves
. He risks his job by attending the opening game of the season while he should be meeting a client. In an attempt to bond with his son, Gil takes him to the game, but leaves him there to attend his sales meeting.
The extensively hyped Rayburn suffers a chest injury, causing his performance to decline. Fans criticize his inability to live up to their expectations. The frustrated Gil, jobless now, begins to aggressively show his support. He shows his anger to fans who boo Rayburn. Gil's ex-wife, Ellen (Patti D'Arbanville
), is disgusted by his irresponsibility. She tries to stop him from seeing their son. Gil is issued a restraining order. With his job and family lost, Gil again turns to his fanatical love for baseball. He even teaches his boss a lesson by stabbing his car several times for firing Gil, as well as leaving a knife in the hood.
He considers a teammate of Rayburn's, Juan Primo (Benicio del Toro
), to blame for his favorite player's slump. Gil confronts Primo in a sauna at a hotel. Rayburn took over Primo's position in center field, but was not permitted to use his lucky number of 11 on his jersey. Primo rudely brushes off Gil, whereuopon Gil murders him with one of his knives. While San Francisco grieves, Rayburn begins feeling guilty for his teammate's death. But he starts playing well again, ending his slump. Gil, convinced that what he did was a service to Rayburn and the Giants, becomes even more personal with his fanaticism. He goes to Rayburn's beach house and unexpectedly helps save the player's son from drowning.
After pretending to have only a passing interest in the sport, Gil persuades Rayburn to play a friendly game of catch on the beach. Rayburn says he stopped caring about the game after the death of Primo because there were more important things in life. He makes the mistake of telling Gil that he lost respect for the fans, remarking on their fickle nature. Gil's temper rises. He speaks his mind on the matter, slightly disturbing Rayburn, especially when Gil takes off his jacket to reveal underneath Rayburn's #11 Atlanta Braves
jersey and wonders if Rayburn is happy that Primo's not around.
Rayburn discovers to his horror that Gil has kidnapped his son and has fled in his car, as well as finding a piece of his teammate's branded shoulder with a number 11 on it in his freezer. Disillusioned with Rayburn's disrespect towards the fans, Gil spirals further into insanity. He acts as though Rayburn's son is his own. He drives to see an old friend, Coop (Charles Hallahan
), a catcher that Gil spoke often of playing baseball with in his past. Coop is killed by Gil, who tried to help Sean escape, but not before he reveals that the only time the two ever played together was in Little League.
Gil takes Rayburn's son to a baseball field and hides him there. He contacts Rayburn to make one demand: hit a home run in the upcoming game, dedicating it to Gil, "a true fan", or he will kill Rayburn's son. With the Police on high alert, Gil enters the Giants' stadium in the midst of an on-and-off thunderstorm. Rayburn struggles with his emotions while at bat. After several pitches, he finally hits the ball deep into the outfield but not over the fence. Rayburn attempts to score an inside-the-park home run. He is called out, even though he is obviously safe. Rayburn begins to argue with the umpire, who turns out to be Gil in disguise.
Rayburn knocks Gil to the ground. Dozens of Police Officers swarm onto the field, pointing their firearms at the maniacal Gil Renard. Before they arrive, Gil stabs another baseball player, Lanz (John Kruk
), who tries to tackle him. Despite warnings from the Police, Gil goes into an exaggerated pitching motion with a knife in hand. He asks Rayburn if he cares about baseball, but realizes he cares "just a little bit". He is shot dead as he is about to throw the knife. Police discover Rayburn's son at the Little League baseball field where Gil played as a child. They uncover his obsession with Rayburn, as hundreds of newspaper clippings adorn the deranged fan's hideout. A picture on the wall shows Gil in his past glory, playing Little League Baseball.
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
and Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
. It was directed by Tony Scott
Tony Scott
Anthony D. L. "Tony" Scott is an English film director. His films include Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable...
and based on the novel of the same name by Peter Abrahams. The Fan is a psychological thriller that revolves around the sport of baseball, exploring the overt dedication displayed by some of its fanatics.
Plot
Gil Renard (Robert De NiroRobert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
), a struggling knife salesman, is 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
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Gil is obsessed with the Giants' newest player, Bobby Rayburn (Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
), recently acquired from the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He risks his job by attending the opening game of the season while he should be meeting a client. In an attempt to bond with his son, Gil takes him to the game, but leaves him there to attend his sales meeting.
The extensively hyped Rayburn suffers a chest injury, causing his performance to decline. Fans criticize his inability to live up to their expectations. The frustrated Gil, jobless now, begins to aggressively show his support. He shows his anger to fans who boo Rayburn. Gil's ex-wife, Ellen (Patti D'Arbanville
Patti D'Arbanville
Patricia "Patti" D'Arbanville is an American actress and former model.-Early life:D'Arbanville, born May 25, 1951 in New York City, New York, is the daughter of Jean , an artist, and George D'Arbanville, a bartender, and attended PS 41 on Eleventh Street...
), is disgusted by his irresponsibility. She tries to stop him from seeing their son. Gil is issued a restraining order. With his job and family lost, Gil again turns to his fanatical love for baseball. He even teaches his boss a lesson by stabbing his car several times for firing Gil, as well as leaving a knife in the hood.
He considers a teammate of Rayburn's, Juan Primo (Benicio del Toro
Benicio del Toro
Benicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez is a Puerto Rican and Spanish actor and film producer. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award for his role as Javier Rodríguez in Traffic . He is also known for his roles as Fred Fenster in The Usual...
), to blame for his favorite player's slump. Gil confronts Primo in a sauna at a hotel. Rayburn took over Primo's position in center field, but was not permitted to use his lucky number of 11 on his jersey. Primo rudely brushes off Gil, whereuopon Gil murders him with one of his knives. While San Francisco grieves, Rayburn begins feeling guilty for his teammate's death. But he starts playing well again, ending his slump. Gil, convinced that what he did was a service to Rayburn and the Giants, becomes even more personal with his fanaticism. He goes to Rayburn's beach house and unexpectedly helps save the player's son from drowning.
After pretending to have only a passing interest in the sport, Gil persuades Rayburn to play a friendly game of catch on the beach. Rayburn says he stopped caring about the game after the death of Primo because there were more important things in life. He makes the mistake of telling Gil that he lost respect for the fans, remarking on their fickle nature. Gil's temper rises. He speaks his mind on the matter, slightly disturbing Rayburn, especially when Gil takes off his jacket to reveal underneath Rayburn's #11 Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
jersey and wonders if Rayburn is happy that Primo's not around.
Rayburn discovers to his horror that Gil has kidnapped his son and has fled in his car, as well as finding a piece of his teammate's branded shoulder with a number 11 on it in his freezer. Disillusioned with Rayburn's disrespect towards the fans, Gil spirals further into insanity. He acts as though Rayburn's son is his own. He drives to see an old friend, Coop (Charles Hallahan
Charles Hallahan
Charles John Hallahan was an American film, television and stage actor best known for his performances in Going in Style, The Thing, and Dante's Peak.-Life and career:...
), a catcher that Gil spoke often of playing baseball with in his past. Coop is killed by Gil, who tried to help Sean escape, but not before he reveals that the only time the two ever played together was in Little League.
Gil takes Rayburn's son to a baseball field and hides him there. He contacts Rayburn to make one demand: hit a home run in the upcoming game, dedicating it to Gil, "a true fan", or he will kill Rayburn's son. With the Police on high alert, Gil enters the Giants' stadium in the midst of an on-and-off thunderstorm. Rayburn struggles with his emotions while at bat. After several pitches, he finally hits the ball deep into the outfield but not over the fence. Rayburn attempts to score an inside-the-park home run. He is called out, even though he is obviously safe. Rayburn begins to argue with the umpire, who turns out to be Gil in disguise.
Rayburn knocks Gil to the ground. Dozens of Police Officers swarm onto the field, pointing their firearms at the maniacal Gil Renard. Before they arrive, Gil stabs another baseball player, Lanz (John Kruk
John Kruk
John Martin Kruk is a former Major League Baseball player and current baseball analyst for ESPN.-Early life and career:...
), who tries to tackle him. Despite warnings from the Police, Gil goes into an exaggerated pitching motion with a knife in hand. He asks Rayburn if he cares about baseball, but realizes he cares "just a little bit". He is shot dead as he is about to throw the knife. Police discover Rayburn's son at the Little League baseball field where Gil played as a child. They uncover his obsession with Rayburn, as hundreds of newspaper clippings adorn the deranged fan's hideout. A picture on the wall shows Gil in his past glory, playing Little League Baseball.
Cast
- Robert DeNiro as Gil Renard
- Wesley SnipesWesley SnipesWesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
as Bobby Rayburn - Benicio del ToroBenicio del ToroBenicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez is a Puerto Rican and Spanish actor and film producer. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award for his role as Javier Rodríguez in Traffic . He is also known for his roles as Fred Fenster in The Usual...
as Juan Primo - John LeguizamoJohn LeguizamoJonathan Alberto "John" Leguizamo is an Colombian-American actor, producer, voice artist, and comedian.-Early life:...
as Manny - Patti D'ArbanvillePatti D'ArbanvillePatricia "Patti" D'Arbanville is an American actress and former model.-Early life:D'Arbanville, born May 25, 1951 in New York City, New York, is the daughter of Jean , an artist, and George D'Arbanville, a bartender, and attended PS 41 on Eleventh Street...
as Ellen Renard - Ellen BarkinEllen BarkinEllen Barkin is an American film, television and theatre actress.-Early life:She was born Ellen Rona Barkin in Bronx, a borough of New York City, New York, the daughter of Evelyn , a hospital administrator who worked at Jamaica Hospital, and Sol Barkin, a chemical salesman...
as Jewel Stern - Charles HallahanCharles HallahanCharles John Hallahan was an American film, television and stage actor best known for his performances in Going in Style, The Thing, and Dante's Peak.-Life and career:...
as Coop - Andrew J. FerchlandAndrew J. FerchlandAndrew Ferchland is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor in 1992-93. He is known for his 1997 role of Collin, the Anointed One, in the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer....
as Richie Renard - Chris MulkeyChris MulkeyChris Mulkey is an American actor who most recently appeared in Against the Wall, Cloverfield, the NBC TV movie Knight Rider, and as a corporate executive in season 7 of 24...
as Tim (Richie's stepfather) - Brandon HammondBrandon HammondBrandon Hammond is an American former child actor who appeared in a string of high profile projects in the 1990s.Hammond's first film role was in Menace II Society where he played the younger version of the main character Caine...
as Sean Rayburn - Dan ButlerDan ButlerDaniel Eugene "Dan" Butler is an American playwright and actor known for his role as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe on the TV series Frasier.- Life and career :...
as Garrity (Gil's boss) - Kurt FullerKurt FullerKurt Fuller is an American character actor. He has appeared in a number of television, film, and stage projects. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Stockton, California in 1971.-Career:...
as Bernie (Gil's co-worker) - Stanley DeSantisStanley DeSantisStanley DeSantis was an American actor and businessman. He appeared in 15 motion pictures, the last of which being The Aviator, in which he portrayed Louis B. Mayer. He also made many television appearances...
as Stoney (pervert store owner) - Michael JaceMichael JaceMichael Jace is an American actor. He starred in State of Play with Russell Crowe. He is best known for his role as the bisexual Los Angeles Police Officer Julien Lowe in the FX drama The Shield...
as a ticket scalper - M.C. Gainey as an irate Giants fan
- Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
as Himself (opening game singer) - Jack BlackJack BlackJack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
as a radio broadcast technician
External links
- The Fan at Yahoo!Yahoo!Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
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