Although British-made, this adaptation of Nick Hornby's acclaimed autobiographical novel is certain to strike a chord with any audience of sports-loving men and the women who put up with them. Although "Fever Pitch" doesn't work entirely in its cinematic translation into romantic comedy, its sharp perceptions into the eternal differences between the sexes and the highly appealing performances of its two leads should guarantee minor interest on the art house circuit.
Colin Firth plays Paul, an English teacher and soccer coach at a British middle school. Paul is the kind of perpetually adolescent sports fanatic about whom women are constantly complaining, and he has no appeal whatsoever to Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), his ultra-serious and very attractive new colleague -- at least at first. When the pair shares a ride home on a stormy night and winds up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love.
Although Paul's interest in his favorite soccer team has waned of late because of their long losing streak, when they start to win again his obsession gets rekindled, much to Sarah's frustration. When she finds herself pregnant, the resulting tensions threaten to tear the couple apart.
Although Hornby's adaptation of his novel is a decidedly low-key affair lacking big laughs or dramatic fireworks, it has enough small but pleasurable moments to make it worthwhile. It captures perfectly the heady sweep of emotions that can hold captive an entire city in the wake of a winning sports season, and the protagonists are highly engaging, complex personalities, well able to articulate their respective positions. Paul's obsession with the team, silly as it is made to look, ultimately acquires a certain dignity, a sort of noble rebellion against the constraints of everyday existence.
Director David Evans captures vividly the insular atmosphere of an English school, and the leads' performances are excellent. Firth is winning even when his character is at his most clueless, while the lovely Gemmell, faced with the difficult task of playing a character who often and loudly expresses her disapproval, is utterly charming. Stephen Rea, playing far against his usual type, delivers a hilarious cameo as an unctuous schoolmaster.
-- Frank Scheck in New York
FEVER PITCH
Phaedra Cinema
Credits: Director: David Evans; Screenwriter: Nick Hornby; Producer: Amanda Posey; Executive producers: Stephen Wooley, Nik Powell; Director of photography: Chris Seager; Production designer: Michael Carlin; Editor: Scott Thomas; Music: Neill MacColl, Boo Hewerdine. Cast: Paul: Colin Firth; Sarah: Ruth Gemmell; Paul's Dad: Neil Pearson; Paul's Mother: Lorraine Ashbourne; Ray the Governor: Stephen Rea. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 102 minutes.
Colin Firth plays Paul, an English teacher and soccer coach at a British middle school. Paul is the kind of perpetually adolescent sports fanatic about whom women are constantly complaining, and he has no appeal whatsoever to Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), his ultra-serious and very attractive new colleague -- at least at first. When the pair shares a ride home on a stormy night and winds up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love.
Although Paul's interest in his favorite soccer team has waned of late because of their long losing streak, when they start to win again his obsession gets rekindled, much to Sarah's frustration. When she finds herself pregnant, the resulting tensions threaten to tear the couple apart.
Although Hornby's adaptation of his novel is a decidedly low-key affair lacking big laughs or dramatic fireworks, it has enough small but pleasurable moments to make it worthwhile. It captures perfectly the heady sweep of emotions that can hold captive an entire city in the wake of a winning sports season, and the protagonists are highly engaging, complex personalities, well able to articulate their respective positions. Paul's obsession with the team, silly as it is made to look, ultimately acquires a certain dignity, a sort of noble rebellion against the constraints of everyday existence.
Director David Evans captures vividly the insular atmosphere of an English school, and the leads' performances are excellent. Firth is winning even when his character is at his most clueless, while the lovely Gemmell, faced with the difficult task of playing a character who often and loudly expresses her disapproval, is utterly charming. Stephen Rea, playing far against his usual type, delivers a hilarious cameo as an unctuous schoolmaster.
-- Frank Scheck in New York
FEVER PITCH
Phaedra Cinema
Credits: Director: David Evans; Screenwriter: Nick Hornby; Producer: Amanda Posey; Executive producers: Stephen Wooley, Nik Powell; Director of photography: Chris Seager; Production designer: Michael Carlin; Editor: Scott Thomas; Music: Neill MacColl, Boo Hewerdine. Cast: Paul: Colin Firth; Sarah: Ruth Gemmell; Paul's Dad: Neil Pearson; Paul's Mother: Lorraine Ashbourne; Ray the Governor: Stephen Rea. No MPAA rating. Color/stereo. Running time -- 102 minutes.
- 12/28/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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