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.

I am a middle-aged American woman who has never seen a soccer game and has never seen any kind of live sports game all the way through beyond Little League (3 brothers, 1 son). I live in a town where football is the main local religion. Nick Hornby's novel was a delight to read and really gave me some sense of the psychology as well as the anthropology of being a fan. I rented the movie because I wanted to SEE the novel: the stadium, the terraces, the colors, the craziness Hornby describes. Youtube and Wikipedia could tell me some about Alan Smith, Highbury, the Hillsborough tragedy, but not enough. The movie came through. Actual footage of games and scenes inside the stadium gave a powerful sense of what it's all about. The final sequence, in which various characters Paul's fandom has touched watch a championship game, was wonderfully moving. The plot has three characters--Paul the young fan, Paul the adult fan, and Sarah the outsider who is repelled by the irrationality, the loud and sweary masculinity of it all. The plot exists to allow Paul to expose, stubbornly as a child and articulately as an adult, what it means to be a fan. Sarah is there to force him into talking and thinking a bit about it. Both Pauls are marvelous. Colin Firth is amazing. His physical attractiveness is essential to the plot--it gets him into Sarah's bed so they can start talking about Arsenal-- and that simple fact leaves him huge amounts of room to be boyish, goofy, moody, clueless, innocent, and cruel.

For me this is one of the most personal films ever made.I was at all of the games at Highbury shown in the film.The celebrations take place outside the entrance to the West Stand where i have been entering for the past 45 years.The school at which Colin Firth is teaching was my school.I even saw it in the Odeon Muswell Hill which is just one minute from the school,and of course that night.who will ever forget that night.I remember it so vividly as if it happened yesterday.To me the sheer brilliance of the book and the film is that Hornby manages to bring to life the dreams we live together.It doesn't matter if you support Arsenal or any other team the dreams are just the same.I was in a local book shop the other day when i saw a later version of the book.I sat down and read the new pages and they were as real to me as if i had been sitting next to Hornby at the time that he wrote them.

The cover of the Feverpitch DVD does not relay to the consumer what a really great movie this is. Whether it is about soccer or football, we can all sort of relate to the characters in this story. To be honest, I got this movie because Colin Firth is in it and after doing some research figured it couldn't hurt to watch it. I had just seen his Hope Springs which I had to turn off, just didn't like the story line and even his gorgeousness could not keep me there. But Feverpitch just had me laughing and I think I actually stopped breathing minutes at a time. It is so hilarious how serious his character, Paul, took "football" and how hard it seemed for his new girlfriend to relate to his seriousness. All you Firth fans out there beware, this movie will only increase your love for this man. And those who are just wondering if it is worth the rent, I'd say no. It is worth the buy!

The cover of the video is COMPLETELY misleading. I must admit that I never expected a film about a football fan to be either interesting or in-depth. I was surprised to find its US release under "New Arrivals" at my video store, and being a fan of Firth, I decided to give it a try. It's a very human story, and it is well-done. Nick Hornby's script is excellent, and he actually managed to pull me, a non-rabid fan of football, into understanding a little of what his character was going through. The inclusion of the childhood scenes was great for setting up why the character is still human, though he initially appears insane when taken in the greater context of human existence. He was portrayed very effectively by Firth, whose previous stand-out performance as Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice" contrasts so sharply with the character that he plays in this film that I found myself almost cringing at the immaturity and madness portrayed by him...until the character grew on me and I felt more than just pity for him. Ruth Gemmell did a fine job of portraying Sarah, a woman who was frustratingly in love with a man who loved a sport. I liked watching the growth of both of their characters throughout the film. The thing that struck me about this film was the reality and "humanness" of it. I could see such a thing happening in actual life, and I appreciated the portrayal of the everyday struggles of learning to refocus your priorities and commit to loving someone.

By now you would have read enough reviews to know enough about the story and the characters.

So here's my own opinion of Fever Pitch..

Like the DVD cover states for this movie, "Love footie, hate footie, you'll love Fever Pitch". Fever Pitch defines how hundreds of millions of football fans feel around the world, who are as passionate as Paul (Colin Firth) is about Arsenal FC. The relationship with his father, how we handles his classroom and the teacher next door at the school are all realistic, especially if you're living in an obsessive football supporters world, or any sport for that matter..

The fact that the Americans took this great script and tried to turn into a story of their own (See: The Perfect Catch) shows that it had great appeal on the otherside of the Atlantic.. The Americans sure have been lacking ideas lately and some have resorted to trying to remake old English classics, with somewhat less success.. e.g. The Italian Job, Alfie and now Fever Pitch

If anything, in Fever Pitch you could see Colin Firth's potential to be more than just an English character actor and we all know where his early efforts have gotten him today.

A funny film, well worth watching if you've ever been passionate about anything in life, regardless of what team you support..

This film explores the life, thoughts and relationships of an obsessive sports fan. It happens to be have been made in England about a particularly dramatic title win (Arsenal's 1989 victory was the stuff of legend), but applies to obsessives everywhere, who pin all of their happiness on some team over which they can exert no control. The writing is insightful, for example "I don't know whether life is s*** because Arsenal are s***, or the other way around" will be recognised by any fan of a sporting (or political) team, and the central character's long-term reaction to the long-sought victory is spot on. The acting and direction are also spot on. The mellifluous Colin Firth leads an excellent ensemble, from which Mark Strong (as Firth's buddy) stands out. Like the best British films (Brassed Off, for example), this one has real situations and real, recognisable characters you care about, spiced with gentle comedy. I recommend this one warmly.

Fever Pitch may not be a great film, but it is certainly a wonderful, charming, pitch-perfect film.

On the surface, it is the story of a Peter/Pan who can't give up his obsession for a local Football Team.

The man in question, (an incredibly handsome Colin Firth), is a teacher of English at the high-school level. The teacher next door is a lovely young woman with the knick-name of "iron britches". Of course the predictable happens.

What is unpredictable is the painful growth of Colin's character, and his slow progress in being able to give up his team just enough to make room for an even greater and more important love, the teacher next door.

What I love best about this film is that Colin Firth here is NOT Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy would NEVER let his Lizzie see him in his Fire Engine RED and white Arsenal Boxer Shorts!

Here Mr. Firth is rough-edged and scruffy. A man who prefers to hang out with his mates drinking beer and holding a fatalistic view that his beloved Arsenal will NEVER win the Championship.

The charm of the film lies in the growth of this man/child and the patience and understanding of the woman who loves him and their slow but certain progress from attraction to real, lasting LOVE!

See it!! I happen to love soccer. All my children played it and now my grandchildren play it. I believe the rules are different for British Football, but those difference didn't take away from the thrill of watching Arsenal in action!

Any golf,football or baseball "widow" will understand and love this film!

As a huge Arsenal fan, I HAD to watch this film. I was not disappointed - a true depiction of life as a fan.

LIFE AS A FAN. That is what the film explores; the highs and lows of the life of Paul (Colin Firth), who lives his life in seasons rather than years, and struggles to cope with his cynical, pregnant girlfriend, and the highs and lows of an especially rollercoaster of Arsenal footy games.

Rest assured, you do not have to support Arsenal to like this movie. Perhaps die-hard Liverpudlians will find the ending especially distressing, but the film focuses on how what happens on the pitch can affect everyday life, something all avid fans know about.

You also need no knowledge of English footy. Just settle down for an evening of great acting, often poignant nostalgia, and frequent bursts of

I haven't been interested in sports since I was twelve but this film made me care about Arsenal, Paul and other sports enthusiasts. The acting was perfect. The film was funny and lovely. Colin Firth proves his versatility again. For those of you who can't tell, this is the same actor who wowed everyone in Pride and Prejudice as the reserved, haughty, unapproachable Mr. Darcy. Bravo. Brava. Thank you, Nick Hornby

Fantastic. I had the pleasure of going to Highbury (Arsenal Stadium) twice to see the Gunners play in real Premiership clashes against Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon, and the soccer fanaticism portrayed in the film is NOT hyperbolized at all. As a Yank, i felt like a right outsider, but i was hooked instantly when i exited the Underground station and was swept away in the program selling, chips devouring, pin swapping, memorabilia peddling madness that is English Football.

Additionally, Fever Pitch is the ONLY modernly set British film i've seen that did not contain a single refference to American culture, film, TV, music, nothing...

A totally home grown Brit flick which (to use an American sporting analogy) hits it out of the park. Shamelessly sublime.

For those not familiar with English football, Arsenal is a very old, well-respected club with a proud tradition, and has done much to progress the game at all levels. They have enjoyed an unrivalled run of seasons in the top-flight, and because of this are envied by almost all other clubs. Outside of Manchester United, it has probably the largest fan base in the UK as well as a growing international following, following the success and attractive style of play brought about by manager Arsene Wenger. The club is shortly moving to a brand-new 60,000-seat, state-of-the-art stadium to help accommodate it's growing army of supporters. It is likely demand for tickets will still far exceed supply, although this depends to some extent on their ability to retain the world's greatest players, who bring with them a whole new, dedicated following.

So now you know a little about the club, you will understand why this movie was made. Hornby is a life-long fan (Arsenal fans are affectionately known as 'Gooners') and the season during which the film is based, is arguably one of the most dramatic the English Championship has ever witnessed. The film briefly touches on the tragedy of Hillsborough, which was a turning-point in the game. Because of the loss of so many innocent lives, all UK stadia were redeveloped to ensure they were the safest, most fan-friendly in the world. The club most deeply affected by the disaster was Liverpool - favourites to win the Championship that year. Liverpool are probably the second most famous club in the country, hugely successful in the 1980s. Arsenal - always unpredictable - could only take the title if they beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, Liverpool's ground. Almost all neutrals were hoping Liverpool would win the title because of the tragic losses amongst their fans - generally regarded as being some of the most devoted in the game. Almost everyone believed they would win, and with less than a minute to play in the Championship-deciding game, Arsenal were a goal shy. It was at this point on the night that I turned off the TV and slunk off to the pub to drown my sorrows. When I arrived, the place was buzzing, and the rest is history. This is precisely what this movie is all about - anything else is just filler to broaden it's appeal. Anyone who is not a Gooner could not possibly understand this movie, but it does work on different levels for those not involved.

As I am involved, I can't possibly see beyond the facts. Enjoy the scenes, the drama, and the famous old Highbury stadium - which is as I write is hosting it's very last competitive match. The stadium is probably unique in location, surrounded by leafy north London back-streets. This film is more important historically than as a piece of dramatic art, but it's nice to know some people appreciate it as a movie. If some of those people learn to appreciate the club, it's history and - sadly doomed - stadium then that is a bonus. Those years can never be repeated, but they will never be forgotten.

Late in 1999, this film finally became available in the US. If you are a soccer fan (or a fanatic of any sport), you will relate to this movie. This is an autobiographical book by Nick Hornby, a long-time Arsenal fan, who also did the screenplay. Incidently, the book is considered one of the best soccer books ever written. For those who liked High Fidelity, a book also written by Nick Hornby, and reset in Chicago, they will enjoy the romance of Fever Pitch, the movie. Colin Firth from Shakespeare in Love is excellent.

I adored this film. I had seen the new, American version before seeing this. I like them both very much. I love the British version because it is about football, and personally I am a football fan.

Colin Firth does a wonderful acting job. This movie is full of good British humor. The characters are put in serious situations that are made humorous (ie the baby), and the lead character's reaction is quite hysterical.

If you enjoy British humor and a good looking British man, you will not be disappointed by this film. It is fun, but it has it's serious moments as well. A very sweet film that analyzes the depths of our mind and how we deal with obsession.

A London football-obsessed school teacher has spent the last 20-some years, and every day going forward, viewing life through the one lens: his favorite team, The Arsenal Football Club. Having sublimated the grief of his parents' divorce through English Football, he views every week of his life as another football match in pursuit of fortunes always hiding.

Colin Firth, who usually plays the archetypical sullen Brit, is resounding as author Nick Hornby's autobiographical noncommittal single man who's really just a lad grown up. Hornby's character then grows smitten a prim and proper English teacher who dislikes him at first but warms up to him and his enthusiasm for sport and life in general.

Fever Pitch is a nice portrayal of the struggles of an irrational sports lover reluctantly coming to terms with the fact that, to the rest of the world, there are more important things than Saturday's game.

written by Andy Frye, MySportsComplex.blogspot.com

I stumbled upon this film playing on cable one afternoon & much to my own surprise, I was hooked. It's very well done & very enjoyable, even for those of us who have no clue about sports in general, much less the details of British soccer championships. Only when the credits came up @ the end, did I know that Nick Hornsby of HIGH FIDELITY fame was behind it. I patted myself on the back for letting my own good judgment overcome any snobbish preconceptions. (Of course the initial hook was seeing Colin Firth's face on the screen. The guy definitely has under-used leading man potential!!!) Jan

As an Arsenal fan my view of this film is no doubt biased, I simply love it and I can watch it time and time again. Any Arsenal fan would enjoy this film however I think that not only football fans but also any sports fan in general could appreciate and relate to this film.

It is based on the book by Nick Hornby and the main elements are common throughout them although the story has been adapted quite a lot to make it more appropriate for a film. The relationship between the main character and his on and off girlfriend plays a central role in the film which differs from the book. The book is definitely worth a read for anyone who enjoys the film.

Fever Pitch does a brilliant job of portraying all the emotions a football fan goes through, how it can affect every aspect of your life and how non football fans don't understand it. Therefore even people with no interest in football could also relate to this film and enjoy it.

The whole cast were great in their respective roles and all brought a realistic element to it which is what I love about British films. I liked seeing Colin Firth in this role as it was an early film of his and probably not something most people would expect to see him in.

I thought the whole atmosphere created in the scenes at matches was really authentic and it was also interesting to see how football has changed in certain ways.

I can't pretend I would enjoy this film as much if it was about another team but I still think people shouldn't write it off because it's about Arsenal- or football even. This film is about a prominent aspect of British culture and therefore worth a watch for anyone.

Luckily for me, not knowing much about football did not ruin my viewing pleasure. At first, watching somebody become so obsessed with a game is quite worrying, but as the film progresses and we learn more about Paul, we understand him and his obsession a little more. Although I am not sure if Colin Firth is a major footie fan, the way in which he acts out his part makes the reader believe that he is. Also, the way in which Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) struggles to understand his football fever is particularly amusing and for most women, her character is probably one of the easiest to relate too! A must see for all Arsenal fans...and all Firth Fans, such as myself, this film is a true bred British film and we should be proud of it!

The movie was weak at best. It is unbelievable as a romantic comedy, and the main character's obsession with Ar5ena1 is just annoying. There are no really likable characters in the movie, and the story just isn't very compelling. The courtship between the two main characters is jarringly short... they go from meeting (and disliking each other) to snogging in a manner of minutes. You never get a good picture of why, exactly, they like each other.

This movie may, however, appeal to people who like Ar5ena1; especially all of them who claim to be lifelong supporters of the team, all of them who claim to have watched the match in question, and even all of them who (like most Ar5ena1 fans) turn off the telly when 'their' team is losing in order to go to the pub. Now that's loyalty! COYS!

The biggest problem with this film is that an opportunity was missed to comedically exploit football-fan fanaticism. Instead, sport-fanaticism is taken far too seriously, considering what it really is, and although there is some humour at its expense, there wasn't enough of it. Somehow too much time is spent on soppy relationship nonsense, which goes nowhere. Still, the film isn't boring, and occasionally provides amusing insight into the world of the mindless football fan. The ending, with the main character desperately trying not to watch a championship match and being totally negative, is quite amusing, and there should have been more of that.

This movie is an overlooked gem - much better than the American remake.

Colin Firth's Paul really hasn't a clue as to how stunted he is emotionally, due to his obsession with his favorite football club, Arsenal. Sarah, the uptight teacher who sort of conveniently falls into his life (if she hadn't been teaching in the class next to his, he probably would have remained alone) is aghast to discover the depth of his attachment to Arsenal (the Arsenal boxers that Paul blithely sports give her the first clue).

I love the scene where Paul is trying to convince her of his newfound maturity, but only succeeds in lighting his dinner napkin on fire. Firth's portrayal is quietly brilliant and hilarious. And as a baseball fan who wears rally caps and refuses to move her spot on the couch when her team is winning a big game, I found so much to relate to. I've been there with Paul in the depths of despair and the heights of delirium. Luckily I married a baseball fan too!

I bought this movie on DVD after renting it, and love to watch it once or twice a year. Undeniably and proudly English, it entertained this American to no end.

This movie is unique, funny, and absolutely charming!! Colin Firth is, needless to say, exceptional as a Football Fanatic. I didn't think I would like him as a "Yob", but I fell in love with the realness and honesty of the character. His character made me understand the guys I've gone out with in the past, who were Hockey-Obsessed, and I will look at Sports-Crazy guys in a different light from now on!! For those women out there who would like to watch a Romantic-Comedy with your Sports-Crazy boyfriends/husbands but they think they're all tear-jerking Chick-Flicks, give this one a try; he'll probably appreciate "Paul"'s (Colin Firth) point of view. This is a Definite Must-See for Colin Firth Fans, Football/Soccer Fans, and those who are tired of the Hollywood Romantic Comedy Formula.

Fever Pitch is an excellent book written by acclaimed English writer Nick Hornby covering his love for Arsenal, England's number one soccer team and their 1989 championship win. The film adaptation starring Colin Firth has been well made; the school scenes are particularly well done. Probably unappealing in America where soccer is not as popular this is actually a good adaptation that is surely one of the best films to come out of England in the last five years. Well worth watching even if you don't like soccer Fever Pitch captures the amazing spirit of 1989 that brought Arsenal the most exciting championship ever.

Often alluded to as ' The Beautiful Game', that famous night in May 1989 exemplifies exactly why football is worthy of such an endearing nickname. And I'm not only talking on the level of how, against all odds, the resilient Arsenal snatched the title from the mighty Liverpool with practically the last kick of the season; Nor only on the level of the soaring emotional significance of that night for the losing team and their fans, who hoped to dedicate their almost-certain-victory to the 90 Liverpool fans crushed to death just a month earlier in football's most horrific tragedy; and neither on the level that the game's ball-for-ball account was delivered by one of the greatest commentators in living memory , Mr Football himself Brian Moore (R.I.P.) in which he produced one of the most famous lines in sporting history 'It's up for grabs now!'. In the light of the movie being discussed I'm going to speak on level that will further emphasise Hornby's point on fanatism and how ridiculously far some of us will take it. Yes, the championship decider between Liverpool and Arsenal had all of the above and more, but the very first thing that springs to my mind with its every mention is its aesthetics. In my opinion that night showcased 2 of the most (for lack of a better word) stunning kits to ever grace a football pitch. Both adorned with the famous 3 Adidas stripes down the sides and the old-school leaf; Liverpool in flaming all red sporting the cursive 'Candy' logo across the front in white, Arsenal in banana yellow with dark navy almost black sleeves and shorts with the neat 'JVC' logo printed on the front. I'm not sure which one I preferred but if I was to take this even further and look at the game on a metaphorical level as the 'Battle of the Shirts', I think Arsenal shaded it …just!

Forget Football Factory and Greenstreet Hooligans. For all you non-football fans who wish to learn more about REAL supporters and their so-called idiosyncratic passion for their team, watch this movie. But bear in mind, as good as it is, it barely combs the fringes of Nick Hornby's more elaborate hilariously witty novel .I also recommend that you watch the last 5 minutes of the Liverpool-Arsenal championship decider of 1989. Trust me, it surpasses any Hollywood script on all levels; audio, visual, dramatic, emotional.… Fever Pitch!

If even Chelsea fans don't hate this movie, then it has to be great.

The characters are real, the script was adapted by the author of the autobiography. The situations are real, that's the television footage of the match, with commentary. The only thing wrong that I could spot was that the outside of the North Stand was under construction in '89, and that isn't reflected in the movie.

AFC, 2003 FA CUP Champions.