Ball fever

Movie
German title	Ball fever
Original title	Fever pitch
Country of production	Great Britain
original language	English
Publishing year	1997
length	98 minutes
Age rating	FSK 6
Rod
Director	David Evans
script	Nick Hornby
production	Amanda Posey; for Wildgaze Film
music	Neil Maccoll
camera	Chris Seager
cut	Scott Thomas
occupation
	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 : Yo; 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 : School football coach;

Ball fever (Original title: Fever Pitch ) is a British literary film adaptation by David Evans from 1997. It is based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby , who also wrote the screenplay for the film.

action

London 1989 : English teacher Paul Ashworth has been a fan of Arsenal FC since his father first took him to a game 21 years ago. If Arsenal lose, Paul is bad, if they win, he is in a good mood. His students like him, his parents respect him, and when he is not going to a soccer game he spends his free time coaching the school's soccer team. He's happy with his life as long as he can afford the rent and the money for an annual ticket in the stadium.

One day, Sarah Hughes, a new teacher, comes to the school who is amazed at Paul's unconventional demeanor and anti-authoritarian teaching methods. She still swears to her roommate that she would never have an affair with Paul, but a short time later she invites him to her apartment after he has driven her home in the rain. Both become a couple, but Sarah cannot deal with Paul's downright fanatical love for Arsenal. She does not understand why he spends every weekend in the stadium, divides the year into seasons and, when there is no play in summer, does not think about a vacation together, but only about possible friendlies for his team. A visit to the stadium together is also a deterrent. Both fight more and more often.

When Paul learns that Sarah is expecting him to have a child, he wants to change. He suddenly sees himself as a father and a husband and wants to take on responsibility. He is applying for the vacant position as vice-principal of his school, which the headmaster Ted had recently offered him in vain. He and Sarah look for an apartment together, but in the end he finds it in close proximity to the Highbury , which she cannot convince. Arsenal, meanwhile, are on the verge of winning the championship but losing an important game near the end of the season. The pain is greater for Paul than the rejection of his application for a vice rector position. When Sarah realizes this, she separates from him, although she can now empathize with his passion for football.

The last game of the season on May 26, 1989 is imminent. The Liverpool play against Arsenal and Arsenal must win by two goals difference to the championship to decide for themselves. While Paul and his best friend are watching the game on TV, Sarah can no longer stand it alone. She rushes to him as the final minutes of the game are underway and Arsenal are already leading with a goal. Shortly before the end of stoppage time, she rings the doorbell, but Paul only shouts out the window that whoever is at the door is disturbing in the most important 60 seconds of his life. She leaves and Paul experiences the winning goal to make it 0-2 - Arsenal are champions! The street, on which Sarah was standing alone, fills up in seconds with enthusiastic Arsenal supporters and everyone celebrates until the evening hours. In the end, Sarah and Paul see each other on the street and hug each other.

Three years later, Paul and Sarah are living with their child, Paul says the championship has resulted in a healthy distance for him from Arsenal. Although he still loves the team and often visits their games, he can now also have his own victories and defeats that do not depend on a win or a defeat by Arsenal. And that's good, in a way.

production

Fever Pitch was filmed at Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, London, and Maidenhead , Berkshire . The film was released on April 4, 1997 in Great Britain and was also released in German cinemas on September 4, 1997. An alternative title for the film is Fever Pitch .

The film is based on motifs from the autobiographical novel Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. Hornby wrote the script for the film and can be seen briefly in one scene as the football coach of a school team.

In 2005, a US remake was released with A Man for One Season , which transfers the action to baseball .

criticism

The lexicon of international films called Fever Pitch a "humorous, knowledgeable and detailed film about football and true fans, who even neglect love because the place in their hearts has long been occupied. A small, modestly staged, overall convincing debut film that focuses entirely on its topic. "

Cinema called the film an “original British film adaptation of Nick Hornby's bestseller. Look at!"