Fever Pitch (1997)

A sports fan's romantic courtship clashes with his obsession with his favorite football team.

Director:

David Evans

Writers:

Nick Hornby (book), Nick Hornby (screenplay)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Aikman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

A romantic comedy about a man, a woman and a football team. Based on Nick Hornby's best selling autobiographical novel, Fever Pitch. English teacher Paul Ashworth believes his long standing obsession with Arsenal serves him well. But then he meets Sarah. Their relationship develops in tandem with Arsenal's roller coaster fortunes in the football league, both leading to a nail biting climax.

---

Plot Keywords:

arsenal | teacher | fan | screenplay adapted by author | soccer fan | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ballfieber

Filming Locations:

Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,519, 17 October 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$13,600, 17 September 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Scala Productions, Wildgaze Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Sarah asks Paul to quote Lord 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," the colors of the Wolves football team.

---

Goofs

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

Ted, the Headmaster: I wanted to talk to you about a vacancy. Rosie Hunter's handed in her notice I wonder whether you'd be interested in applying.
Paul Ashworth: Head of year? Erm, well...
Ted, the Headmaster: It's obviously not the most attractive offer you've ever had.
Paul Ashworth: *Come on Ben, get back with him!* Sorry Ted.
Ted, the Headmaster: I haven't fired you with enthusiasm.
Paul Ashworth: Well there's a lot of work, isn't it? What do I want to do more work for?
Ted, the Headmaster: More money?
Paul Ashworth: Well I've got enough to pay my rent, I got enough for my season ticket and a couple of records a month. Got no ...
[...]

---

Connections

Features Rude Health (1987)

---

Soundtracks

Goin' Back
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Performed by The Pretenders

User Reviews

A Winner for Nick Hornby and Colin Firth

Nick Hornby strikes again! I watched this movie for Colin Firth, and enjoyed it as a fan and as a discriminating viewer. The script is excellent, particularly the dialogue (particularly in one delightful restaurant scene). I found the acting and craftsmanship satisfactory - be warned that dialogue can be quiet, so listen hard through the accents. The film is delightfully British, so I highly recommend it for Anglophiles, and as Nick Hornby knows how to do, it is a nice mix of the ludicrous and the thoughtful. The relationship the movie centers around is really interesting to follow. We wonder what makes it tick, but Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell seem comfortable together, so it isn't unbelievable at all. I wasn't expecting "Fever Pitch" to be so good, but I find that I recommend it highly.