Mildly amusing fantasy

Fever Pitch; 1:41; PG-13, for crude and sexual humor, and some sensuality; Grade: C

I can’t say I’ve ever been a big fan of the romantic comedy genre. Neither would most dudes, but there are quite a few people out there who do enjoy this kind of movie. There also are a lot of people who watch Oprah and the Lifetime Network. Fever Pitch was made for them.

Occasionally, there’s a romantic comedy that rises above the paltry surroundings of its genre by showing us something we’re not used to seeing. Maybe it’s hysterically funny. Maybe its characters are fully developed, and actually show a little emotional depth. Fever Pitch is neither of those movies. It is exactly what you’d expect in a rom-com—conventional lightweight melodramatic schmaltz. The fact that it is at least moderately funny makes it tolerable for all the audience members dragged along by their dates.

Fever Pitch tells the love story of Lindsey (Drew Barrymore) and Ben (Jimmy Fallon). Ben is the perfect “nice guy,” charming and funny. Plus, he teaches high school math, and that would make him one of the coolest people on Earth. Lindsey is a “successful businesswoman” who has dated all the wrong men. She finally meets Mr. Right in Ben but knows there must be something wrong with him; otherwise he wouldn’t be available at 30. Ben is a diehard Red Sox fan, so much that it has sabotaged all previous relationships. Do I really need to divulge any more of the plot? You know exactly what’s going to happen.

Fever Pitch was directed by brothers Peter and Bob Farrelly. The Farrelly Bros. have made a dandy career for themselves based on explosive diarrhea (Dumb and Dumber), a penis caught in a zipper (There’s Something About Mary), and a number of other immature but hilarious comedies (Stuck on You, Shallow Hal, Me Myself & Irene, Kingpin). Their sophomoric movies have always had a touch of genuine sentimentalism, though, so I’d hoped they might do well with a romantic comedy. They don’t. Personally, I prefer the explosive diarrhea.

Barrymore and Fallon (Taxi, Saturday Night Live) both know how to handle comedy just fine, but I’m not as sure about either of their merits as dramatic actors. Besides, they really don’t have much to work with in Fever Pitch. The behaviors of their characters are often very difficult to believe.

Fever Pitch is mildly amusing pure fantasy, but pretty unconvincing as far as fantasy goes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, girlfriend, Oprah’s on.

Comments? E-mail Weindl at joewatchesmovies@yahoo.com.