Fever Pitch (1997 film)
- Colin Firth: Paul Ashworth
- Ruth Gemmell: Sarah Hughes
- Luke Aikman: Paul as a child
- Bea Guard: Paul's sister
- Neil Pearson: Paul's father
- Lorraine Ashbourne: Paul's mother
- Richard Claxton: Robert Parker
- Ken Stott: Headmaster Ted
- Holly Aird: Jo
- Mark Strong: Steve
- Peter Quince: Frank
- Charles Cork: Rex
- Bob Curtiss: Stan
- Annette Ekblom: Robert's mother
- Graham Cull: Mr. Johnson
- Mike Ingham: Radio commentator
- Silas Carson: Indian waiter
- Geoffrey Drew: Homeowner
- Nick Hornby: college football coach
Fever Pitch is a British film adaptation of David Evans from the year 1997. It is based on the novel by Nick Hornby, who also wrote the screenplay for the film.
Action
London 1989: English teacher Paul Ashworth is a supporter of Arsenal FC, since his father has taken him 21 years ago for the first time to a game. Arsenal loses, it's Paul bad, they win, he has a good mood. His students like him, the parents respect him and his free time, he spends when he does not go to a football game as coach of the football team at school. With his life he is satisfied as long as the rent and the money he can make for a season ticket in the stadium itself.
One day, Sarah Hughes, a new teacher at the school, which is taken aback by the unconventional appearance and anti-authoritarian teaching methods Pauls. Swear it against her roommate still, never to begin an affair with Paul, she invites him a short time later but into her home after he has driven her home in the rain. Both are a couple, but Sarah can not deal with Paul's fanatical love for Arsenal. She does not understand why he spends every weekend at the stadium, divides the year according to seasons and think in the off-season in the summer does not have a holiday together, but just about any friendly matches of his team. Also a joint visit to the stadium it deters more. Both argue more often.
When Paul learns that Sarah he is expecting a child, he wants to change. He suddenly finds himself as a father and husband and will be happy to take responsibility. He applies to the vacant position as vice principal of his school, which had recently offered to him in vain Headmaster Ted. With Sarah he looks for a shared apartment, which he, however, found at the end close to the Arsenal Stadium what they can not convince. Arsenal, meanwhile, is close to winning the championship, but loses an important game just before the end of the season. Pain is for Paul greater than the rejection of his vice-principal positions application. When Sarah realizes this, she breaks up with him, even though she is now starting to sense his passion for football.
The last game of the season on 26 May 1989 is imminent. The Liverpool FC will play against Arsenal and Arsenal must win by two goals difference to decide the championship can. While Paul with his best friend followed the game on television, it also keeps Sarah no longer alone. She rushes to him as the last minutes of the game running and Arsenal already leading by one goal. Shortly before the end of stoppage time she rings, but Paul screams out the window that whoever is at the door, interfere, especially in the most important 60 seconds of his life. She goes and Paul experienced the winning goal for 0:2 - Arsenal 's Champions! The road on which Sarah has just stood still alone, fills up in seconds with enthusiastic Arsenal supporters and all celebrate into the evening hours omitted. In the end, Sarah and Paul see on the street and fall into each other 's arms.
Three years later, Paul and Sarah are living together with their child, says Paul, the championship had led him to a healthy distance to Arsenal. He loves the team, although still and often visit their games, but can now also have their own victories and defeats, do not depend on a victory or a defeat Arsenal. And that was good, so to speak.
Production
Fever Pitch was shot at the Fortismere School in London's district of Muswell Hill and in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The film experienced on 4 April 1997 its cinema release in the UK and came on 4 September 1997 in the German cinemas. An alternative title of the movie is Fever Pitch - Fever Pitch.
The film is based on motives of the autobiographical novel, Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. Hornby wrote the screenplay of the film and is briefly shown in a scene as a football coach of a school team.
Criticism
The filmdienst called Fever Pitch a " humorous [n ] knowledgeable [ n] and love of detail [n ] film about football and true fans, in which even love is too short, because the space is already occupied in her heart. A small, modest staged, more convincing debut film, which focuses entirely on his subject. "
Cinema called the film a " urbritische film adaptation of Nick Hornby bestseller. Check it out! "
More
The Hillsborough disaster is discussed in the film.