'Fever Pitch' is an easy catch

Last October, Red Sox fans spilled out onto the streets of Boston, celebrating the victory over the Yankees that brought them back into the fight for the Series title.

"The curse is reversed!" they cried.

"Fever Pitch" is a romantic comedy set around the faithful lives of the Red Sox followers.

The film is just in time for baseball season and Red Sox fans can now, more than ever, appreciate the humor of the beating they've taken over the years. Moviegoers that aren't fans of Boston, or even the game, can enjoy it as well.

Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore are the film's stars. They manage to find a balance between hysterical ranting and decent humor.

The movie contains factual history for those who don't know the background. For instance, the Titanic sank the same week Fenway Park opened, in April 1912.

Yikes.

Red Sox fans affectionately call themselves "God's most pathetic creatures." The film follows the story of Ben, played by Saturday Night Live alum Fallon. Ben has been a Red Sox fan since his mother moved him to Boston after a divorce. Soon after the move, she asked his uncle to take him somewhere.

What better place to take a kid in Boston than Fenway Park?

Jimmy Fallon hits his mark as an all-grown-up Ben, now a schoolteacher, keeping his summers free for the games. Drew Barrymore ("Charlie's Angels") plays Lindsey Meeks, Ben's love interest. Lindsay's character at first comes off a bit rigid, but she quickly shines as the movie proceeds.

This not-too-goofy portrayal of America's pastime is also a nice love story.

Ben demonstrates his affinity for his team with everything from wallpaper to dish towels spiriting the Red Sox logo. He shares with his friends the season tickets he inherited. He plans his schedule around games, and the Red Sox are clearly a big part of his life. Lindsey becomes a big part of it as well, and she appreciates his ability to commit to something, for a while.

But Ben makes a drastic move one night when he realizes that baseball is just a game. Ben and Lindsey's relationship gets tripped up because of Ben's love for his "second family," as he calls the people who sit in the seats around him at the games.

For those Yankees fans out there, the film is not just about the Red Sox, but baseball, sports, and whatever makes you cheer. Despite the fact that Ben owns Yankees toilet paper, there is no malicious clash between the two rivals. Instead, it's a celebration of the Red Sox finally getting their piece of the pie.

"It's good for your soul, to be a part of something you can't control," Ben tells Lindsey.

For a comedy, some parts do get a little heavy. But it makes up for it in other areas. Plus there is a local touch. Ben and Lindsey take a trip to Niagara Falls. Certainly, Western New York can relate to Boston's championship woes.

Knowing the outcome of "Fever Pitch" doesn't spoil it. It's actually a bit funny, since they had to re-shoot the ending after the Red Sox won the World Series last year, ending an 86-year draught. The original ending had the Sox losing.

Boston will officially hang their World Series Championship banner on Monday, before a packed house. One can't help but wonder how many "Bens" will be in attendance.