The second movie version of "Fever Pitch" does more than just switch the sports focus of Nick Hornby's best-selling, autobiographical novel about what it's like to be a fan.

(Both the book and the 1997 film were about soccer, rather than baseball, in case you're wondering.)

This surprisingly cute-and-cuddly romantic comedy — which comes from the Farrelly brothers, of all people — also shifts the character perspective. Though at first the film appears to center on a fanatical sports nut played by Jimmy Fallon, it winds up becoming Drew Barrymore's movie.

That was probably the smartest move the Farrellys made. Nothing against Fallon, who's considerably better than he was in last year's "Taxi," but Barrymore has a winning presence when she's in this kind of material.

And if that wasn't enough, the team that Fallon's character lives and dies for, the Boston Red Sox, gave the filmmakers opportunity for a Hollywood ending last year with their still-hard-to-believe comeback against the New York Yankees and equally improbable World Series win.

Speaking of the Sox, they're the primary obsession of Ben Wrightman (Fallon), a high school geometry teacher who has been going to games at Fenway Park since his late uncle took him there for the first time.

But Ben's devotion to the team has also cost him more than one relationship with a woman, so he's reluctant to reveal that side to his new girlfriend, Lindsey Meeks (Barrymore), a business consultant with equally bad relationship luck.

And during the off-season, he's able to be the caring and dutiful boyfriend she's always wanted. But once the new baseball season starts, his all-consuming, sometimes ugly passion for the sport emerges.

As longtime Red Sox fans themselves, the Farrellys obviously sweated getting all the little details right. And this is certainly the least crude and most gentle movie they've been associated with. (It might be the most charming film they've done since "There's Something About Mary.")

But best of all, it's got Barrymore, who helps steer it through some troublesome and slow spots. She's a natural comedienne, one at home doing slapstick and the verbal shtick as well.

As for Fallon, you have to credit him for not overdoing the New England accent and for helping make their relationship believable. And the sterling supporting cast includes little-seen-lately actors James Sikking and JoBeth Williams.

"Fever Pitch" is rated PG-13 for crude humor relating to bodily functions (including vomiting), scattered use of profanity, sports-related violence (as well as some slapstick), and brief drug content (references). Running time: 103 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com