The Fan

Name: The Fan
Genre: Drama, Sport, Thriller
Released: August 16, 1996
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 32
Cast: Ellen Barkin, Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes

1996

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 16 Critics

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USER SCORE

Overwhelming dislike based on 104 Ratings

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1.4	User Score Overwhelming dislike based on 104 Ratings

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THE FAN

Movie Details & Credits

Columbia TriStar | Release Date: August 16, 1996

Starring: Ellen Barkin, Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes

Summary: When the San Francisco Giants pay centerfielder Bobby Rayburn $40 million to lead their team to the World Series, no one is happier or more supportive than #1 fan Gil Renard. So when Rayburn becomes mired in the worst slump of his career, the obsessed Renard stops at nothing to help his idol regain his former glory... not even murder. (SonyWhen the San Francisco Giants pay centerfielder Bobby Rayburn $40 million to lead their team to the World Series, no one is happier or more supportive than #1 fan Gil Renard. So when Rayburn becomes mired in the worst slump of his career, the obsessed Renard stops at nothing to help his idol regain his former glory... not even murder. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Director: Tony Scott

Genre(s): Drama, Sport, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Awards & Rankings

61	#61 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
52	#52 Most Shared Movie of 1996

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine - Staff (Not Credited)

Director Tony Scott's stylistic flourishes haven't been put to such creepily seductive use since The Hunger. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - Mick LaSalle

Tony Scott's vigorous direction is sometimes too vigorous. Loud rock music underscores many scenes, and Scott's habit of shooting at odd angles begins to seem like a mannerism. But on the whole his ambitious attack helps make The Fan entertaining in the moment, even if it's forgettable immediately afterward. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Wilmington

Something about baseball seems to bring out the silly side in moviemakers -- even in a movie like The Fan, which starts out well-crafted and deadly serious and seems to have good enough actors and a savvy enough director to stay that way. But halfway through this thriller things go haywire. [16 Aug 1996, p.D]

The New York Times - Stephen Holden

The film's elegantly tricky cinematography and ominous, pounding score by Hans Zimmer (provocatively juxtaposed with the Rolling Stones), only underline the emptiness behind its technical flash. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Aside from Snipes' well-tuned performance and a few clever scenes detailing superstar marketing, this picture is a veritable wasteland. Even watching the horror show that the real Giants have become during the 1996 season is more fun than this. The advertising slogan may be "fear strikes soon", but, when it comes to The Fan, fear, like the movie, strikes out. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Dave Hoekstra

The Fan would have worked better had it dissected the mechanics that shape celebrity adulation. Instead, The Fan takes a knife-wielding action route that leaves film fans feeling - dare I suggest it - cheated? [16 Aug 1996, p.35]

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

Even in thriller terms, nothing rings remotely true here, with even the baseball action--including a game that is not called despite enough rain to unnerve Noah--laced with a heavy dose of preposterousness. Read full review

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User Reviews

moviegrabbag

Jul 8, 2011

This isn't a great movie by any stretch but it kept me interested and the story was well paced. Also you get another very solid performance from Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes does a solid job. The movie also gives a cool perspective on how some fans take things far to serious and theThis isn't a great movie by any stretch but it kept me interested and the story was well paced. Also you get another very solid performance from Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes does a solid job. The movie also gives a cool perspective on how some fans take things far to serious and the stress players feel under the bright spotlight of professional sports. Overall not a must see but not a bad watch if you catch it on TV.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Camouflage44

May 24, 2015

Anyone who has seen a Snipes or Deniro movie expects skilled acting, a plethora of action and a clever plot.
The Fan has none of these requirements and the movie for some reason was released. I expected a clever, involving movie from the collaboration of these two actors, alas the movieAnyone who has seen a Snipes or Deniro movie expects skilled acting, a plethora of action and a clever plot.
The Fan has none of these requirements and the movie for some reason was released. I expected a clever, involving movie from the collaboration of these two actors, alas the movie hasn't an iota of enjoyment.
The Fan is a thriller that pretends to expose the nature of celebrity stalkers. Both of these actors were miscast in the movie. The movie is overly disturbing and utterly pointless without a logical message for viewers.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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