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{{More footnotes needed|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Fever Pitch
| image = Fever Pitch poster.jpg
| caption =
| director = David Evans
| producer = [[Amanda Posey]]
| screenplay = [[Nick Hornby]]
|
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Colin Firth]]
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* [[Holly Aird]]
* [[Ken Stott]]}}
| music = [[Boo Hewerdine]]<br>Neil MacColl
| cinematography = Chris Seager
| editing = Scott Thomas
| studio = [[Film4 Productions|Channel 4 Films]]
| distributor = FilmFour Distributors<ref>{{cite web|title=Fever Pitch (1996)|website=[[BBFC]]|access-date=19 October 2021|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/fever-pitch-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yodcynti}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|1997|04|04|df=y}}
| runtime = 102 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Fever Pitch''''' is a 1997 film starring [[Colin Firth]] and [[Ruth Gemmell]], based loosely on [[Nick Hornby]]'s best-selling memoir, ''[[Fever Pitch|Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life]]'' (1992).<ref name=variety>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/fever-pitch-2-1200449741/|title=Fever Pitch|author=Derek Elley|date=5 April 1997|website=Variety.com|access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref>
Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalised the story, concentrating on [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal's]] [[Football League First Division|First Division]] championship-winning season in [[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]]<ref name=variety/> and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays Paul Ashworth, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in
==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.
▲Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalised the story, concentrating on [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal's]] [[Football League First Division|First Division]] championship-winning season in [[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]]<ref name=variety/> and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays Paul Ashworth, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in south Hertfordshire 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 F.C.|Liverpool]] in the [[Liverpool F.C. 0–2 Arsenal F.C. (26 May 1989)|final game of the season]] on 26 May 1989. A [[Michael Thomas (footballer, born 1967)|Michael Thomas]] [[last-minute goal]] giving Arsenal the 2–0 win they needed to win the title.
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 [[Hillsborough disaster|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==
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* 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
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==Remake==
In 2005, the film was remade in an American version also entitled ''[[Fever Pitch (2005 film)|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.
==See also==
==References==
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{{Nick Hornby}}
{{Arsenal F.C.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fever Pitch (1997 Film)}}
[[Category:1997 films]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Arsenal F.C. mass media]]
[[Category:British romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Film4 Productions films]]
[[Category:
▲[[Category:Association football films]]
[[Category:Films about educators]]
[[Category:Films about fandom]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films set in
[[Category:Films based on works by Nick Hornby]]
▲[[Category:British films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Nick Hornby]]
[[Category:Films à clef]]
[[Category:Films based on memoirs]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s British films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
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