You probably remember the early 2000s for trucker hats, low-rise jeans, and the sudden realization that Jimmy Fallon was trying to be a movie star. Before he was the undisputed king of fake-laughing at guests on The Tonight Show, Fallon teamed up with rom-com royalty Drew Barrymore for a flick that basically became the "holy grail" for New Englanders. We’re talking about Fever Pitch.
It’s one of those movies that everyone thinks they know, but the behind-the-scenes reality was actually way more chaotic than the script intended. Honestly, the ending of the drew barrymore and jimmy fallon movie wasn't even written when they started filming. Imagine trying to make a movie about a sports team that never wins, only to have them accidentally win everything while your cameras are rolling. That is the wild story of Fever Pitch.
The Movie That Changed Its Own Ending
When the Farrelly brothers (the guys who did There's Something About Mary) sat down to make Fever Pitch, they were following a very specific blueprint. The film is actually an Americanized remake of a 1997 British movie starring Colin Firth, which itself was based on Nick Hornby’s memoir about being obsessed with the Arsenal soccer club.
In the original plan for the drew barrymore and jimmy fallon movie, the Boston Red Sox were supposed to lose. Because, well, they always lost. They hadn't won a World Series since 1918. The "Curse of the Bambino" was as real as taxes. The script originally ended with Ben (Fallon) and Lindsey (Barrymore) staying together despite the Red Sox losing again, proving that love is more important than a pennant.
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Then 2004 happened.
The Red Sox didn't just play; they pulled off the most insane comeback in baseball history against the New York Yankees. Suddenly, the "lovable losers" weren't losers anymore. The production crew had to scramble. They actually flew Fallon and Barrymore to St. Louis for Game 4 of the World Series. They did their own hair and makeup on the plane because the budget was blown. When the Sox won, the actors rushed the field for real. That kiss at the end? That wasn't a closed set. That was Drew and Jimmy in the middle of a literal historic riot of joy.
Why the Chemistry Actually Worked
People love to dunk on Jimmy Fallon's acting, but there’s a weird, infectious energy in this film. Jimmy plays Ben Wrightman, a high school math teacher who is a "summer guy." He’s great in the winter, but when April hits, he turns into a Red Sox-obsessed maniac.
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Drew Barrymore plays Lindsey Meeks, a high-powered corporate executive who basically has her life together. On paper, it's a total mismatch. But in reality? Drew and Jimmy are actually best friends in real life. In fact, Drew is the one who introduced Jimmy to his now-wife, Nancy Juvonen, who was Drew’s producing partner.
You can see that comfort on screen. They don't look like two actors hitting marks; they look like two people who actually like hanging out. Most rom-coms feel like the lead actors want to escape to their trailers the second "cut" is called. This one feels like they stayed for a beer after the scene.
Real Details You Might Have Missed
- The Yankee Toilet Paper: One of the most famous gags is Ben's bathroom, which is entirely decked out in Red Sox gear—except for the toilet paper, which features the New York Yankees logo.
- The "Bruckner" Tape: There’s a scene where Ben’s friends sit him down to watch a tape of Bill Buckner’s infamous 1986 error. For Red Sox fans, this was basically like watching a horror movie.
- Stephen King Cameo: The master of horror himself makes a brief appearance throwing out the first pitch. Why? Because King is a massive Red Sox fan in real life.
- The Dirt: Decades later, Drew Barrymore revealed on her talk show that she actually kept a jar of dirt from the Fenway Park mound from the night they filmed the ending.
The Sports Obsession: Is Ben Actually a Jerk?
If you watch Fever Pitch today, Ben’s character is... a lot. He almost ruins his relationship multiple times because he can't miss a game. At one point, he gets mad at Lindsey because he missed a historic comeback while he was at a dinner party with her.
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Critics at the time were split. Some felt Ben was a man-child who needed to grow up. Others argued that the movie was a love letter to fandom. It touches on something very real: the "sports widow" phenomenon. It’s that feeling of being second place to a team of grown men playing a game.
Lindsey’s struggle isn't just about baseball; it’s about whether there’s room for her in Ben's life once the "curse" is lifted. The movie handles this better than most Farrelly brothers films, which are usually known for gross-out humor (though there is still a scene involving a dog and some vomit, because it's still a Farrelly movie).
How to Watch it Now
If you’re looking to revisit the drew barrymore and jimmy fallon movie, it’s a staple on most streaming platforms like Hulu or for rent on Amazon. It holds up surprisingly well as a time capsule of 2004 Boston. You get to see the old Fenway, the pre-HD broadcast vibe, and a version of Jimmy Fallon that still had that "Saturday Night Live" glimmer in his eye.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you enjoyed Fever Pitch, you should definitely check out these three things next to get the full experience:
- Watch the 1997 Version: The UK version with Colin Firth is much more cynical and "dry." It’s a fascinating comparison to see how American optimism changed the story.
- Read the Nick Hornby Memoir: The book isn't a rom-com at all. It’s a deep, sometimes dark look at how obsession can be a substitute for actual personality.
- Four Days in October: Watch the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about the 2004 Red Sox. It gives the actual historical context that makes the movie's ending so miraculous.
The film serves as a reminder that sometimes, life writes a better ending than Hollywood ever could. Whether you're a baseball fan or just a fan of Drew Barrymore's legendary wardrobe, it's a rare piece of cinema where the "happily ever after" happened to the characters and the city at the exact same time.