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Colin Firth, Ruth Gemmell, Neil Pearson, Lorraine Ashbourne, Mark Strong ... see more see more... , Holly Aird , Ken Stott , Stephen Rea , Charles Cork , Richard Claxton , Luke Aikman , Bob Curtiss , Annette Ekblom , Bea Guard , Peter Quince

A football fan tries to reconcile his obsessive love of the game with his job, his romantic relationships, and his life in general in this comedy/drama. Since he was a child in North London, Paul Ashw... read more read more...orth (Colin Firth) has been a loyal fan of the Arsenal football team; he attended many a match with his father as a child, especially after his parents divorced, and Arsenal's annual season is one of the few emotional anchors in his life. Now in his mid-30s, Paul teaches English at a state-run school and has become involved with Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), a fellow member of the school staff. While she's pretty, bright, and in nearly all ways a good catch, Sarah doesn't care for football. This lack of interest unfortunately shows itself at a time when Arsenal seems poised to win their first championship in 18 years, and Paul hopes to buy a house near their stadium to make it easier to attend home games. When Sarah becomes pregnant and the long-term stability of their relationship becomes a crucial issue, she forces Paul to decide what he loves more: Sarah and their baby, or Arsenal? For Paul, the answer isn't as simple as one might imagine, as he weighs the joys and responsibilities of adulthood against the passionate enthusiasm that sustained him through his youth. Fever Pitch was based on the semi-autobiographical book by Nick Hornby, who has a cameo as a football coach. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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29% want to see it

9,888 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

14 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: David Evans

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DVD Release Date: November 28, 2000

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Colin Firth Colin 1997
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Flixster Reviews (440)

  • tard15r06
    January 17, 2011
    tard15r06
    For those who aren't aware of this, either because they haven't seen it or because they viewed the American version of Fever Pitch (known as The Perfect Catch) in the UK which was a film based on Nick Hornby's autobiography, Fever Pitch, this is the original film version of the b... read moreook.

    At the start of the film, Paul Ashworth is an English teacher at a London high school with a passion for only one thing in life, football (soccer)... specifically Arsenal FC. His life revolves around the English football season from August to May with a brief respite, interrupted only with the arrival of the next season's fixture list.

    Upsetting his well ordered "apple cart" is the arrival of supply teacher Sarah Hughes who, after some initial sniping because she doesn't see the point of football, starts a relationship beyond that of colleagues.

    Throughout the film, you are guided through Paul's life alongside the backdrop of Arsenal's 1989 Championship winning season through issues such as the ups and downs of Paul and Sarah's relationship, Sarah's opinion of Paul's apparently "yobbish" behaviour and his lack of empathy with matters other than football, and other bumps in the road such as an unplanned pregnancy.

    Colin Firth is brilliant as Paul. I know the phrase "shambling elegance" is often used, but in this role you believe this phrase all the way from his scruffy, curly hairstyle all the way to his Arsenal boxer shorts. His performance helps you believe that when everything is going alright with Arsenal, everything is alright with the world and when Arsenal are rubbish, so is Paul's life.

    Ruth Gemmell matches Firth in a note perfect performance as Sarah. She embodies the role of a person who doesn't understand Paul's obsession with football and, at times, frankly doesn't care. Gemmell perfectly pitches the frustration to a level where you neither pick one character's side or the other.

    The supporting cast is also of a high quality, most notably Mark Strong and Holly Aird as Paul and Sarah's respective friends, Neil Pearson as the younger Paul's father, Lorraine Ashbourne as Paul's mother and a great cameo by Stephen Rea as a member of Paul's disastrous promotion board panel.

    The direction by David Evans makes for a vibrant film which allied with Nick Hornby's screenplay is a great portrait of obsession, not only for football but for anything, and in some ways is a life affirming film. The film is light hearted as opposed to comedic and is sensitive in issues such as the off-screen portrayal of the Hillsborough tragedy.

    The soundtrack is also a winner mixing a score soundtrack by Boo Hewerdine and Neil MacColl with tracks of the time from artists such as The La's, Fine Young Cannibals, Van Morrison and Harry J All Stars.

    If you're looking for a rom-com on this subject, I would recommend the American version of Fever Pitch (a film that I also like). However, if you're after a well paced, well produced comedy drama relationships, obsession and how life experiences can shape a person, give this film a try.
  • nadyajoensen
    January 23, 2011
    nadyajoensen
    This is a classic & romantic story by Nick Hornby. Its about a teacher who is obsessed with football and when he falls in love with this woman, he believes that he can keep his obsession during this relationship without any conflicts. This is a charming story about love and sacri... read morefices. I thought the acting was very good and believable. Definetely one to watch if you're in to romatic comedy movies.
  • Lemure
    March 21, 2009
    Lemure
    Great romantic comedy involving a man, a woman and Arsenal. The reason this film succeeds is in showing both sides. So we see how sad it is to become obsessed with something and for that to run and influence your entire life, but it also then shows how magical it can be to get be... read morehind a team and to be there when they overcome the odds and win.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    January 29, 2009
    Doctor0Quinzel
    This was listed under Romantic Comedy, but I really didn't find it romantic or funny. I thought the protagonist story and how he was so involved with a football team was interesting. His girlfriend was just so ugh, I was screaming at the TV "dump her'.
  • kinadeon
    February 27, 2012
    kinadeon
    A nice insight to a football fanatic's life, as he juggles his work, romantic life, and love of Arsenal. This really makes me want to go to England and see some Premier League games.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    May 9, 2010
    MovieGuruDude72
    Not to be confused with that awful Boston Red Sox Documentary starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. This actually has some artistic merit just based on the fact that it's not about the friggin' Boston Red Sox and stars Colin Firth, who has more acting talent in his toenail cl... read moreippings than Fallon has in his entire body.
  • scrambledegg7
    May 11, 2009
    scrambledegg7
    I saw the American version of this flick and then learned that the original story had been written by Nick Hornby, who had written About a Boy, High Fidelity, and A Long Way Down - all charming, funny, poignant books that were a far cry from the unoriginal romantic comedy sap the... read more movie threw at me.

    Then I saw this version of it.

    Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and scriptwriters, what did you DO to this story? It's sweet, charming, authentic, with interesting characters and a love story that rings true. Colin Firth is more convincing as an actor here than in almost anything else I've seen him in - a character who wants to be living his life fully but is constantly drawn back to his childhood love of football (or soccer, in the U.S.), which keeps interfering with the life he's trying to lead.

    An extremely charming romantic comedy/drama - certainly as good as the film versions of About a Boy and High Fidelity. Check it out if you were disappointed by the newer version.
  • mozzer232
    May 30, 2008
    mozzer232
    This was a very good film. This felt way more "Hornby" than the American remake. The other thing I also liked about this film was that they didn't made the character look like an idiot for his obsession. I can identify with sports fanaticism and I don't think it makes me a mor... read moreon! Anyway, Colin Firth's performance is terrific, and the movie is much better than its American counterpart.
  • Rudiye
    June 29, 2007
    Rudiye
    Before the movie about the Red Sox, there was this one based on teh NIck Hornby book. I prefer this one.
  • heathercwatson
    February 12, 2007
    heathercwatson
    I love this movie!!! Smart, funny, heart-breaking and oh-so-British. For anyone who has ever loved a team so much it made them cry.

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Critic Reviews

Rich Cline
April 29, 2005
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

warm and engaging

MaryAnn Johanson
April 8, 2005
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher

[T]ouchingly awkward and emotionally genuine... Full Review

Clint Morris
March 24, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

'Balls' of Fun!.....Firth at his funniest, and finest

Luke Y. Thompson
April 7, 2004
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times

To the credit of Hornby and director David Evans, they hedge on the issue of how unhealthy extreme soccer fandom may or may not be.

Pablo Villaca
December 8, 2003
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Um filme tão simpático que, confesso, me transformou em um fã do Arsenal. É preciso dizer mais alguma coisa?

Carlo Cavagna
November 26, 2003
Carlo Cavagna, AboutFilm.com

With soccer substituting for rock music, novelist/screenwriter Nick Hornby's FEVER PITCH plays like a rough draft of HIGH FIDELITY...a very rough draft.

Ryan Cracknell
December 7, 2002
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide

Although significantly flawed, the final result for Fever Pitch is pleasant. Full Review

April 4, 2005
Hollywood Reporter

No review available.

Anita Gates
December 10, 2002
Anita Gates, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Paul Ashworth: Leave it up to Arsenal to score one goal when they need two.
    • Steve: You want them to score the second goal before they score the first?
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