Fever Pitch (1997)

Director:

David Evans

Writers:

Nick Hornby (book)
Nick Hornby (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Life gets complicated when you love one woman and worship eleven men

Plot:

A romantic comedy about a man, a woman and a football team. Based on Nick Hornby's best selling autobiographical novel...

Plot Keywords:

Arsenal | Teacher | Jogging | Pun In Title | England

Cast

Luke Aikman	...	Young Paul
Bea Guard	...	Paul's Sister
Neil Pearson	...	Paul's Dad
Ruth Gemmell	...	Sarah Hughes
Colin Firth	...	Paul Ashworth
Richard Claxton	...	Robert Parker
Ken Stott	...	Ted, the Headmaster
Holly Aird	...	Jo
Mark Strong	...	Steve
Lorraine Ashbourne	...	Paul's Mum
Peter Quince	...	Chip Shop: Frank
Charles Cork	...	Rex
Bob Curtiss	...	Stan
Philip Bond	...	Turnstile Operator
Scott Baker	...	Man Behind

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M (TV rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Germany:6 | Norway:7 | Spain:7 | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Fortismere School, Muswell Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

When Sarah asks Paul to quote Byron, he quotes a famous couplet, "The Assyrians came down like the wolf on the fold; / Their cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold." But he changes "purple and gold" to "black and old gold." These are the colors of the Wolves football team.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When, as a child, Paul Ashworth goes to see the Reading FC game, the Reading FC Club Badge on the rosette of the supporters is the one which did not come into being until around the 1987-1988 season. The badge that should have been worn in the 1970s, when the match took place, was the old style 'Elm Trees' badge.

Quotes:

Paul Ashworth: May I smoke?
Sarah Hughes: No. You can stay the night, though, if you want.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Fever Pitch (2005)

Soundtrack:

Goin' Back

Insights into obsession

This film explores the life, thoughts and relationships of an obsessive sports fan. It happens to be have been made in England about a particularly dramatic title win (Arsenal's 1989 victory was the stuff of legend), but applies to obsessives everywhere, who pin all of their happiness on some team over which they can exert no control. The writing is insightful, for example "I don't know whether life is s*** because Arsenal are s***, or the other way around" will be recognised by any fan of a sporting (or political) team, and the central character's long-term reaction to the long-sought victory is spot on. The acting and direction are also spot on. The mellifluous Colin Firth leads an excellent ensemble, from which Mark Strong (as Firth's buddy) stands out. Like the best British films (Brassed Off, for example), this one has real situations and real, recognisable characters you care about, spiced with gentle comedy. I recommend this one warmly.