A contemporary romantic comedy about a high school teacher who meets and falls in love with a successful businesswoman. Although their lives are vastly different, the relationship seems perfect until the baseball season begins and she has to compete with his first true love: the Boston Red Sox. (from MovieWeb.com)

You either love or hate Jimmy Fallon. Few lie somewhere in the middle, but during his days on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Fallon was more known for laughing and breaking character during a sketch than for his dead-on celebrity impressions. Since his theatrical debut flop Taxi (which may not have been great, but was certainly entertaining), Fallon has turned in his sophomore stint as a leading man, this time in the romantic comedy, Fever Pitch. Fever Pitch is a different kind of movie, not just for Fallon, but especially for directors The Farrelly Brothers. Known best for their largely crude and often offensive comedies There's Something About Mary, Me Myself & Irene, and Dumb & Dumber, the Farrellys step out of their comfort zone to turn in a more sensitive effort in Fever Pitch. This side of the brothers was seen partly in the true-beauty-is-on-the-inside message comedy Shallow Hal, but Fever is toned down much more drastically. With significantly milder language (especially for the genre), and little to no gross-out humor, it's genuinely a surprise to even see the Farrelly's name attached to this film.

Now hold up before you accept the above paragraph as my seal of approval. Fever Pitch is indeed a more adult-oriented comedy which does all but outright promote the idea of premarital sex and even conceiving outside of wedlock. While it is possible to watch the film and let this aspect of the film roll off your back, it's a message you don't want your kids getting out of this film. On the positive end, the film does bear a good message about making sacrifices for one another (specifically in the name of love), and being selfless. Considering the worldly beliefs of Hollywood, it's no surprise there's such an unbiblical message about sex, but it's indeed one to be cautious about.

Acting-wise, Fallon is the best here he's ever been. Even in Taxi, you could visibly see a few moments where they cut the film just before he started laughing at himself or another actor. Here, Fallon's acting abilities are even stretched emotionally. Drew Barrymore's signature sweet personality compliments Fallon's nicely. Ben's obsession with the Red Sox is a funny plot element that works favorably for creating a different kind of romantic comedy. Fever Pitch is more cute than funny, however, and ultimately would be the perfect date movie were it not for a few of those misguided sex-related messages.

No actual sexual encounters are shown, however, we do see Ben and Lindsey passionately kissing as they enter his bedroom and fall onto the bed (the scene ends as he takes his shirt off). Another scene shows them in bed directly after the act and they discuss how good it was, but no nudity is shown. Language is mild with only 2 "s" words and a handful of other obscenities.

Fever Pitch was inches away from being the perfect date movie. It's some subtle sexual humor and more downright unnecessary content that really hinders its result. I wish I could recommend it, but your best off renting an edited DVD version from a service like Clean Films or ClearPlay. It's closer to being a more family-friendly comedy than most, but it's still a ways off.

- John DiBiase, (reviewed: 4/18/05)