Fever Pitch (1997 film)

Fever Pitch is a 1997 film starring Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell, based loosely on Nick Hornby's best-selling memoir, Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life (1992).

Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalised the story, concentrating on Arsenal's First Division championship-winning season in 1988–89 and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays Paul Ashworth, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in Muswell Hill, north London, and his romance with Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell), a new teacher who joins Ashworth's school. The film culminates with the real life events of Arsenal's match against title rivals Liverpool in the final game of the season on 26 May 1989, with a last-minute goal by Michael Thomas giving Arsenal the 2–0 win they needed to secure the title.

Plot
In 1988, Paul Ashworth is an English teacher where new history teacher Sarah Hughes has just started. From the first day of class they clash. His classroom is lively and boisterous, chanting for Arsenal F.C. which she says distracts her students.

Sarah complains about him to her flatmate Jo, who jokingly says they'll end up shagging. Paul talks about her to his friend Steve, saying that although she's pretty, they mutually hate one another. Steve suggests it is a promising sign.

In flashbacks, we watch Paul as a child as his dad, who he only sees sporadically as his parents are divorced, tries to connect with his children. Initially disinterested, when he is taken to a match, he loves the whole rowdy, lively experience.

In the present, Robert from the school team Paul coaches asks him to take him to a match, which he says no, sorry he can't. Discussing him with his mother, she is concerned. Paul says that, although he has poor penmanship, he's doing fine in his class. He suggests she take him to the next match as she's separated from his dad, to cheer him up.

After Parents Day, Paul offers Sarah a lift home as it's raining. She complains that, although she'd prepared, the parents preferred talking to him over her. Sarah invites him up and, as Jo isn't home, they sleep together.

Paul is offered the position of Head of Year, which he's not too interested in. When they've been together over 6 months, Sarah suggests they plan a trip somewhere. In the meantime, she goes with Paul to a match. The shoving and fanaticism makes her nervous. When it's discovered that over 70 fans were crushed to death at another match that same night, Sarah's incredulous that it doesn't dissuade Paul from attending matches.

Sarah discovers she's pregnant and is unsure of what she wants to do. Paul is enthusiastic and declares they'll have to marry and have it, but she fears he wouldn't be available for the long haul. He approaches the headmaster, saying he has changed his mind about the promotion. He is pleased until he tells him why, the upcoming baby.

The same day Paul interviews for the job, he finds they turn him down then Arsenal loses an important game, worsening their chances to win the championship. Sarah comes over in sympathy over the interview, but the Arsenal loss is what is upsetting him. They argue and she leaves.

Paul and Sarah don't speak for some days. The school's big championship final comes. Sarah comes for the last few minutes, however Robert misses the penalty kick and the match. Paul asks him if this match or the Arsenal-Liverpool league championship is more important to him, his answer is the latter. So he suggests he focus on the bigger game.

Just before the match that will decide the League Championship in Liverpool, Sarah checks in with Paul. Unsure if she'll be able to see it, she wishes them luck, knowing the team must win by 2 goals. Everyone who's watching the match is all nerved up, even Sarah discovers the team is one up in the last half. She grabs a taxi to Paul's arriving with one minute to spare. Sarah's buzzing up at such an inopportune moment earns her a myriad of profanity out the window.

Suddenly realising it could be Sarah, Paul goes down to catch her, but she's gone. Hurrying upstairs, he just manages to see the winning goal. The first time they've won after an 18-year-drought, the city comes alive with excitement, as Arsenal fans pour into the streets. The initially saddened Sarah gets swept away by the wave of supporters.

Paul and Sarah find each other and kiss. From then on, he moves on with his life. Paul's happiness is no longer dependent on Arsenal.

Cast

 * Colin Firth as Paul Ashworth
 * Ruth Gemmell as Sarah Hughes
 * Mark Strong as Steve
 * Neil Pearson as Mr. Ashworth
 * Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Ashworth
 * Holly Aird as Jo
 * Stephen Rea as Ray
 * Emily Conway as Sasha
 * Richard Claxton as Robert Parker
 * Annette Ekblom as Robert's Mother
 * Andy Raines as Football Referee
 * Mike Ingham as Radio Announcer
 * Ken Stott as Ted, the Headmaster

Production
The film also stars Neil Pearson as Paul's father and Mark Strong as Steve, Paul's best friend. Nick Hornby has a cameo as a beaten opposition manager in a school football match. Parts of the film were shot on location in the surroundings of Arsenal Stadium in Highbury; as the terracing at Highbury had since been replaced, the scenes of fans on the terraces were instead filmed at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium.

Remake
In 2005, the film was remade in an American version also entitled Fever Pitch starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore, with the 2004 World Series Boston Red Sox replacing Arsenal. To avoid confusion, this 2005 remake is known as The Perfect Catch in the UK.