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Amazon.co.uk Review
In Fever Pitch rumpled, amiable Colin Firth plays a rumpled, amiable English teacher named Paul. He's also an obsessive football fan who's been avidly following Arsenal for 18 years. When he falls into a relationship with a new teacher named Sarah (Ruth Gemmel), his deep attachment to Arsenal proves an obstacle. This sounds like some cheap men-and-women-don't-understand-each-other setup, but instead Fever Pitch not only explores the origins of Paul's football fandom, it actually communicates an infectious sense of what that kind of sports enthusiasm can mean, how it can provide an almost tribal identity. Even better, the movie takes this devotion seriously without ever losing sight of how it can be completely ridiculous at the same time, resulting in some amazing, funny scenes. Gemmel is charming, and Firth is simply superb. He's a great actor who, despite his memorable turn as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, never quite fits into conventional leading man roles and so has tended to play oddballs and redeemable villains, as in Shakespeare in Love and The English Patient. He's a perfect fit for this script, written by Nick Hornby (author of High Fidelity and About a Boy) from his novel of the same name. The humour of Fever Pitch is all the more engaging because it's grounded in richly developed characters and emotions. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com
Synopsis
When Paul (Firth), a middle-aged British teacher who nurses an obsession for the North London football team Arsenal, meets Sarah, a seemingly uptight young woman who is a single-minded professional, he is forced to drastically re-evaluate his life. Sarah loathes the sport, while Paul's entire life is based on it--it is the only place in his life that allows him to feel true joy or pain, as well as a sense of national identity. Soon Sarah is pregnant, and although she's growing to enjoy her husband's pastime, she worries that Paul cares more for the sport than for the relationship and the impending arrival of fatherhood. Paul observes how the relationship is indeed mirroring the team's streak of wins and losses. But with Arsenal in contention for the 1989 First Division Championship--after an 18 year barren spell--Paul and Sarah have one fleeting chance to restore their touchy union. The film is lent an extra dash of realism in that Arsenal's victory in the final moments of their 1989 campaign is considered one of the most dramatic moments in the history of British soccer. Fever Pitch is based on the novel by Nick Hornby, whose subsequent efforts--"High Fidelity"; "About a Boy"--confirmed his appeal as an author and inspired further box office successes.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Being married to a football (USA) "nut", I really enjoyed this film. (The football in this film is "soccer" to us.) My husband and I watched it and he could see himself in many scenes. Colin Firth is a great actor, his frustration and love come through those gorgeous eyes of his. Ruth Gemmell was perfect also. I have not read the book, the film made us laugh and we did care about the characters. We had trouble with the English slang and other English eccentricities, like fans wearing red when their team wore yellow, we were confused at first but were able to catch-on. The actors were believable in their roles, it moved at a good pace, and Colin Firth was able to capture the man/boy conflict. Very enjoyable film.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It Really is NOT necessary to be an Arsenal Fan (A Gooner) to enjoy this film - as Nick Hornby manages to capture and portray what it is like to be 'A Football Fan' (The Heaven and Hell we all go through) - Regardless of who you might or might not support - As the film portrays the Highs, Lows, Agony and Ecstasy that most (true) Football fans go through each week, Month and Season.....whether your team be a Big Club or one of the Smaller Clubs - as it is all about the Passion and Love that one holds for ones own team - As Paul The main Character in the film observes how it's possible for your team/club to lift your spirits to the point of ecstasy and then bring you crashing back down to earth the next - which is what it is like being a Football fan.....and so if you are and regardless of whom you support, you will recognise yourself in this film - Providing you are a real football fan - and not an armchair - change your team from week - month type - who knows nothing of loyalty!..
This is a 6 Stars out of 5!
This is a 6 Stars out of 5!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The book on which this film is based is by far Hornby's best - an almost allegorical depiction of father-son relationships that resonates with most men, especially those who grew up with estranged parents.
The film concentrates rather more on the love story, which means that viewers who don't know the book might conclude that Firth's character is just emotionally retarded and football obsessed, without understanding why. His "redemption" - the realisation that women are more important than football - therefore comes across as simplistic and seems designed to appeal primarily to female viewers (especially those who hate football!).
The good news is that, despite the dumbing down, the screenplay is excellently crafted and the actors play their roles with genuine depth. The pitch of the film (no pun intended) makes it ideal viewing for when curled up on the sofa with your loved one. But afterwards, make sure you read the book!
The film concentrates rather more on the love story, which means that viewers who don't know the book might conclude that Firth's character is just emotionally retarded and football obsessed, without understanding why. His "redemption" - the realisation that women are more important than football - therefore comes across as simplistic and seems designed to appeal primarily to female viewers (especially those who hate football!).
The good news is that, despite the dumbing down, the screenplay is excellently crafted and the actors play their roles with genuine depth. The pitch of the film (no pun intended) makes it ideal viewing for when curled up on the sofa with your loved one. But afterwards, make sure you read the book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good
Good product, goes well with the book. Very pleased with this purchase, comes sealed too so ideal present for Christmas!
Published 3 months ago by Gasky93
1 Nil to the Arsenal
This film gets better with age, a real "must have" for any Arsenal fan. If you're a spurs or Liverpool fan, I'd imagine you wont like this. At all.
Published 4 months ago by Tigger69
Purchase ok, film booring
Film is booring, but everything related to purchese was ok. You can not belive the film's plot and acting was not the most brilliant either.
Published 6 months ago by Sari
Nick Hornby winner that is as shrewd as it is poignant.
Teacher Paul is an obsessive football supporter, his love of Arsenal F.C. knows no bounds. Sarah, who teaches at the same school as Paul, has very little in common with Paul. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Spike Owen
INCORRECT PRODUCT DETAILS
I can't comment on the film yet as I haven't seen it. Why not? Well, I usually watch a film in the evenings with my Spanish husband. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Flowerpot
Great
First of all, Great film, even if your not a Footbal Fan.
My biggest problem with this movie is the cover of the Region 1 DVD. Look at it. Read more
My biggest problem with this movie is the cover of the Region 1 DVD. Look at it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by M. F. Hauxwell
Fever Pitch [DVD] (1997)
Top Class! I bought it for a reason and hasn't failed to impress! As an Arsenal fan I can only relate, a truly inspirational and emotional story!
Published 11 months ago by Jcwannabe
Easy watching funny funny film
This is a great feelgood movie. You don't even have to be a football fan. Colin Firth is brilliant I just love to watch this film when I am down it cheers me up!
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. J. A. Bateson
Film Review
This is an early Colin Firth film and is terrific.
It showed the true mania of football fans (I am not one)but I understood it by the end
It was funny, sad, uplifting and... Read more
It showed the true mania of football fans (I am not one)but I understood it by the end
It was funny, sad, uplifting and... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dr. John D. Fleet
A brilliant film about relationships and obsession
I first saw this film over ten years ago and it was an instant hit for me.
Rather than trying to do a page by page adaptation of the original book, Nick Hornby has... Read more
Rather than trying to do a page by page adaptation of the original book, Nick Hornby has... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Theatre Addict
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