Cinema File: Watch and become a 'Big Fan' of Patton Oswalt

Most commonly known as the voice of Remy the rat in Pixar's 2007 hit film "Ratatouille," actor Patton Oswalt actually is one of today's sharpest, funniest and most original stand-up comedians. Both times I saw him perform at the 40 Watt Club, the shows were sold out and standing-room-only.

There's a kind of honesty in his act that immediately shatters the wall between artist and audience, resulting in the sort of intimacy that made me forget I was on my feet for three hours listening to this guy say things that made me laugh. To say he's gifted would be an understatement.

So it's not surprising that Oswalt absolutely shines as the lead character in "Big Fan," the directorial debut of Robert Siegel, screenwriter of the 2008 award-winning drama "The Wrestler."

As football-obsessed parking attendant Pail Aufiero, Oswalt is a perfect fit for the character and the movie, displaying a refreshing subtlety not often seen from comic performers who take on heavier material. Paul lives with his mother and is the self-described "world's biggest New York Giants fan," spending his time obsessing over his favorite team and calling in to a late-night sports talk show. When a chance meeting between Paul and his favorite Giants quarterback goes horribly awry, he's torn between loyalty for the team and what is right in the eyes of the law.

Given his penchant for self-deprecating humor a

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