Fever Pitch (2005)

(Boston, 2003-2004)
IMDb

Some changes had to be made to the end of the script to account for the Red Sox unexpected World Series victory capping the 2004 season. Of course unexpected is what this film is in a number of ways. First off its a Farrelly brothers picture, which caries certain expectations, which this feature defies. Its a mature romantic comedy, even while a subtext is male lead Jimmy Fallons obsession with Bostons 'cursed' baseball team. The Sox are his passion, as well as his emotional cruch, and help explain how such a funny, charismatic guy as him, could still be single at the age of thirty. While his new girlfriend Lindsy (a winning Drew Barrymore) at first gives plenty of slack to Ben's (Fallon) obsession, she grows concerned with the monopolising stranglehold it has on his life. Conversely however Lindsy is a workaholic, and things are in the stars to prove that a time for change is due in her life as well. This is a very satisfying picture, that sadly has not been followed up any worthy vehicles for the likes of Fallon and Barrymore. Author Nick Hornby, whose British novel this Americanized version is based on, has become a sure bet for date movies however.