MovieChat Forums > Big Fan (2021) Discussion > Metaphor For Bush Administration?

Metaphor For Bush Administration?

posted 14 years ago by lgonzales316
45 replies | jump to latest

I was watching Real Time With Bill Maher and Patton showed up as a guest and he was talking to Bill about how a lot of people didn't understand the movie's general metaphorical message which was that Patton's character was supposed to symbolize a devoted patriot always willing to obey his country and whatever the President says. Also the football player that totally kicked his ass was supposed to symbolize the Bush Administration and how they totally shat on the blue-collar American citizen.

And even after he got beaten up, Patton's character refuses to sue him and still remains a loyal fan just like many poverty stricken Americans would still believe in George Bush and his idocracy.

Another metaphor he pointed out on the Real Time was the fact that he and his friend weren't even able to watch the game INSIDE the stadium, and they were so poor that they would have to sit outside and listen to the game but still they remained loyal fans when the truth of the matter was no one gives a *beep* about them.

[–] flimflamsam 14 years ago

i guess that makes sense, but it's kinda retarded to expect viewers to pull that interpretation from a film with absolutely no political anything. I know some maniac "fan"atics like Paul and i just saw it as a lampoon of their obsessive sub culture.

laughs are cheap, I'm going for gasps

[–] SuiteScience 14 years ago

I agree that it's reaching for an audience to see that particular metaphor, even though it fits. Maybe Patton Oswald was trying to make the movie more politcal or seem more intellectual since he was on Bill Maher's show. I could see the comment it made about class and money. That was pretty explicit at during the club scene & the tailgaiting scene.

[–] Mt_Heart_Attack 14 years ago

Well, I guess that Patton himself said it, so that adds a hefty amount of credence to this interpretation. But I really saw it as a metaphor for just any unhealthy, abusive relationship, be it between sports fans and the players who don't give a *beep* about them, Middle America and the Bush Administration, or whatever. I felt like it was really about loyalty superseding common sense and personal pride.

"You people voted for Hubert Humphrey! And you killed Jesus!"

[–] kenny5637 14 years ago

Regardless of Patton's opinion on the movie (which may not be gospel, as he did not write it), I take this movie as being about any form of hopeless devotion to a false idealization of an idol, whether it's a sports star, a president, a pope, or the American dream itself. It's a common motif throughout human history, vicariously elevating oneself through relation to false idols or ideals. Even if this movie's inspired by Bush's America, it doesn't need to be labeled that way, because the themes are so versatile.

[–] DrWhen 14 years ago

Are you actually serious?

[–] vbonanno 14 years ago

So what does Philadelphia Phil represent? He just isn't the reasoned, passionate voice of dissent - he is an active advocate for the enemy (the Eagles).

[–] setanta- 14 years ago

[ So what does Philadelphia Phil represent?]

Well, to extend the metaphor, the Eagles would be the Obama administration. And Philadelphia Phil is one of their sycophants- just as blind to reality as the “Giants” fan. The fans believe that the contest between the two “teams” somehow involves them personally. Whereas the truth is that neither team cares anything about the “fans”.

[–] Selish70 14 years ago

Yes, and clearly the cop would represent the earnest futility of third party candidates such as John Anderson and Ross Perot! Far out!

[–] aapd1973 14 years ago

yeah this is a real stretch..i hate it when comedians try to be so political...I guess he must miss his KING OF QUEENS money...;-)

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Kurse78 14 years ago

Scrotie McBoogerballs is obviously an allegory for post-Katrina New Orleans.

And lo, there was a Kurse upon the land, and everything withered and died.

[–] TheseVisions 12 years ago

yeah... i really don't think that's the case. This comedian "trying" to be political has been one of the smartest and most creative political comics for the past 8 years. Do a little more digging before you make retarded statements like he must miss the money that came from a network sit-com in which he had a very small roll. Pretty sure he's making more for his feature films and stand-up. Nice emoticon though, very cute.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] JackDnCoke 11 years ago

So you DO miss King of Queens....

[–] russdaren 13 years ago

I would actually say it is more reasonable to say that the Eagles as a metaphor represent freedom. That is why they are our national symbol right? And Philadelphia fits that metaphor in several ways due to it's role in early American History.
I never would have caught that metaphor as Patton put it though. And being a fan of his standup work I don't find it hard to believe that he was cracking wise.

[–] bourg000 14 years ago

Uhhhhh..yeah...I took it as being a black comedy about obsessed sports fans.

[–] amm1532 14 years ago

Same i just took it as a movie that while being funny showed at the same time how obsessive people can be about sports and their favorite players. I actually wouldnt be surprised if Oswalt was making a joke at Maher's expense...

[–] Sheldonshells 13 years ago

No. Oswalt was serious about his commentary about it as a metaphor for Bushwhacked America of the 2000s. Don't be afraid and in denial that people are doing movies that actually say something again. there is lots to say after all.

[–] Bob_Zerunkel 12 years ago

Oswalt acted in this turkey. He didn't write it.

[–] Sheldonshells 12 years ago

Who said he did? And what does "turkey" have to do with it? You're a little late for Thanksgiving...

[–] kenneth-r-close-1 14 years ago

Very good, and valid observations. Many of Bush's staunchest supporters were the working poor who saw their income drop significantly during Bush's reign of economic terror. They also support Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, which makes no sense what-so-ever.

[–] lazarillo 14 years ago

You can see it as a metaphor of the Bush administration if you want to, and I don't see how that really hurts anyone else's enjoyment if they prefer to take it completely literally as just a black comedy about football fans.

I guess I see it more as a general comment about human nature and a need to identify yourself with something. I live in Colorado, but that doesn't mean I have to hate all the other states. And by the same token, because I was born American, it doesn't necessarily mean I have to believe America is the greatest country in the world.

And it's not just an American thing--the Chileans and the Argentineans hate each other even though Chile and Argentina are very similar countries. And this animosity is strongest in the most down-trodden people in both countries who in many cases have never even been to the other country. The wealthy people who routinely travel back and forth don't care. That's just the way people are.

[–] moviefool09 14 years ago

Agree with Lazarillo. You can see it as a metaphor for Bush if you choose to. Even Oswalt apparently sees it this way. However, this really isn't what the movie is about.

I think it can be viewed as an indictment of ANYONE's blind hero worship and idolization of an entity or concept. Also, the NY Giants, though a team, are also a corporation. I think the movie can be viewed as critical of the way corporations or entities in America take in the average person and spit them out. Especially in this day and age. Sal, Paul and even Philadelphia Phil are just consumers, grist for the mill. Bishop clearly doesn't care about the "big fan", a lesson Paul learns the hard way. Still, he can't let go and clings blindly to his ideals. He still believes in the big picture and his world view. He cares about the Giants, even if they clearly don't care about him.

In reality, I think Paul knows his world view has been shattered. But he "chooses" to believe it continues, though he now knows the truth. It makes him feel better to keep believing.

In that way, I think it's a very timely depiction of the times we live in. It's a great movie about America and American values...and who really loses out in the end.

And even if you don't buy all that, it's still a searing portrayal of sports fanaticism in America.

[–] dennvis 14 years ago

This is more like a metaphor for the Obama Adminisration.

[–] Newfound76 11 years ago

wrong

[–] grampashab 14 years ago

The Horatio Alger Myth, my friend.

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!

[–] the_long_arm_of_coincidence 13 years ago

it's about the basic dilemma of the "crisis of faith." you can compare it with any story (true or fictional) where somebody feels disillusioned and betrayed by the system, institution, etc that he believes in. if you're looking for allegory in this movie, i would say that the most obvious reference is to the disillusionment of some catholics with their church's clergymen.

paul and his friend sal are italian americans, probably non-practicing catholics, with very biblical names. there's a guy named BISHOP who is a person that they have great respect for, since he's one of the top men in their "religion" (NY giants football). then they catch this bishop indulging in vices, they try to pretend as if they don't realize he's doing anything wrong, and finally bishop assaults paul and betrays his loyalty & devotion and causes him to question himself & his faith.

also paul's surname, aufiero, means "flag bearer." the guy that proudly carries the flag of his army into battle. it's very appropriate, both as a metaphor for a big fan and for a religious zealot. in the christian crusades, paul would have been the guy marching alongside the knights, waving their flag, cheering them on, and thinking "gee those knights sure kick a lot of ass. i like them a lot. they're the greatest." and he would have been the first one killed in the fog & confusion of battle, probably at the hands of one of the knights he admired so much.

you mean you have to use your hands? that's like a baby's toy.

[–] moviefool09 12 years ago

Very good post.....good points re: aufiero/bishop,, etc

[–] jpromine 12 years ago

hahaha, jesus you're stupid. yeah, it's a metaphor for the Bush administration.