If you’re reading this review, then you must be a fan. Do you like John Travolta? Do you love movies? Whatever motivates you to part with your dollars at the box office or click that “rent” button online, there’s no doubt you can relate to some of the themes in The Fanatic. (Hopefully not too much, though!)
There certainly is too much of a good thing when it comes to Moose’s (John Travolta) adoration of his favorite horror film actor and action hero, Hunter Dunbar (Devon Sawa). Moose, a down-on-his-luck “character actor” who works in costume on Hollywood Boulevard, spends all of his tourist tips money on collectibles from his idol’s old B-movies. He finally saves up enough money to buy a bedazzled biker vest worn by Dunbar in a cheesy action flick, then he stands in a long line at a signing with other fans to have it autographed. Just as Moose is about to step up to the table and present his prize, Dunbar gets a phone call from his bitter ex-wife and steps outside to take it.
This disruption does not sit well with Moose, who follows the actor outside and insists that his vest get the Sharpie treatment. He whines about the money he’s spent and rambles on about his collection of everything Hunter Dunbar. Rather than quickly obliging and just being done with it, Dunbar goes off on Moose and storms out of the event. That does not stop Moose from still trying to get that coveted autograph. The disgruntled fan turns to his only friend, Leah (Ana Golja), a well-connected paparazzi photographer who knows how to find celebrity homes. Moose finds his way onto the high-security Dunbar compound, and that’s where all hell breaks loose.
When it comes to movies about obsessed fans, there is certainly no shortage. Stephen King’s Misery (1990, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates) is probably the gold-standard in terms of, well, everything. But there have been some other good ones, including The Fan (1981, starring Lauren Bacall and Michael Biehn), another The Fan (1997, starring Wesley Snipes and Robert De Niro), and Big Fan (2009, starring Patton Oswalt). So, how does The Fanatic stack up? It’s a serviceable thriller with some plot holes, but overall, it’s well made. The screenwriter, Dave Bekerman, is a first-timer, while the director, Fred Durst (yes, the leader of the 90s rap/rock band Limp Bizkit) made some videos and shorts, but only one other feature (11 years ago). The director of photography is Conrad W. Hall (not to be confused with his 3-time Academy Award Winning dad, Conrad L. Hall) and he does a fine job lensing the glamour and the grit of Hollywood. The authentic locations lend a lot of credibility, giving one the ability to get lost in the story as it unfolds.
While The Fanatic does get quite gory, there’s always a winky sense of humor that’s especially evident in its self-obsessed Tinsel Town meta vibe – at one point, Leah points her long lens at the elusive celebrity cinematographer Conrad Hall, and then someone is listening to the oldies radio station when Limp Bizkit comes blaring through the speakers.
While The Fanatic is not a perfect movie, nor all that original, it’ll keep you watching thanks in part to an increasing array of WTF moments and, especially, Travolta’s sincerely screwy performance. Moose is messed up, but he really is a fan and all of his rage comes from a place of love. Travolta polishes up that old chestnut and makes it shiny and new, showing us once again why he’s been worthy of fans worship since his breakout role as Tony Manero in 1977’s Saturday Night Fever.
