“Fanboy”

“Fanboy” tries to dive into some big themes like identity and mental health as it relates to the cult of college sports, but doesn’t quite pull it off. Writer / director Bean Mckee clearly has a lot to say with his film, but is only partially successful in translating his message to the screen.

The movie follows the socially awkward Allen (Jon Washington), who heads to Columbus, Ohio, hoping to connect with his estranged dad by diving headfirst into the world of college football. He gets caught up in the hype as the season unfolds, but Allen’s journey takes him down a reckless path as he tries to figure out where he belongs.

The film clearly wants to explore how in America, we often struggle to find a solid cultural identity. In our country, there’s a phenomenon where sports serve as a sort of subculture that people latch onto. For Allen, this is his way of filling a void because his dad’s not around. Despite the elements all being in place, the film doesn’t quite make its message come together. Mckee’s storytelling feels a bit all over the place, and the film’s rough-around-the-edges vibe makes it harder to get fully invested.

The movie touches on mental health, especially how Allen’s feelings of abandonment interfere with his decision-making. Instead of dealing with his emotions or facing his relationship with his dad, he gets sucked into the world of sports by thinking that maybe it’ll give him a sense of control. All of this leads him down a dangerous road, where he makes impulsive choices in hopes of bridging that gap with his father.

The movie’s main idea of using football to fill an emotional void is relatable, but the execution falls short. The pacing feels off, and the dialogue can seems especially forced in the film’s first half. The characters aren’t fleshed out in a satisfying way, and the low production quality is noticeable in some scenes. Still, you can tell Mckee is really trying to say something about how college sports intersect with identity and the feeling of being lost, but never quite hits the mark.

The movie does capture an accurate portrayal of the camaraderie that comes with being a sports fan. There’s something real and human about how people tie their own emotions to the wins and losses of their teams, and it feels so good to find your tribe. The film taps into that, showing how sports can offer a brief (and often meaningful) escape from personal struggles.

While “Fanboy” has some interesting ideas, it gets bogged down by pacing problems, forced dialogue, and budget limitations. It tries to explore some important topics like mental health, identity, and how sports shape our lives, but the whole journey towards self discovery mostly feels uneven.

By: Louisa Moore