Fever Pitch (1997 film)

Fever Pitch the movie is a 1997 fictionalized adaptation of Nick Hornby's acclaimed autobiographical novel, with the screenplay courtesy of Hornby himself.

I first saw the film a few years ago now, and thought that it was alright, if nothing special. Recently I subjected it to another watch, to see whether my perceptions of it might have shifted at all.

The movie centres on the character Paul (played by Colin Firth), and his obsession with football, and more specifically his beloved Arsenal. His consuming passion does not always sit easily with his personal relationships and his interactions with the "real world". This is all set against the backdrop of Arsenal's challenge for the 1988-89 League championship title.

I haven't read Hornby's book, a serious oversight I admit, but at least this didn't mean that I was constantly comparing film to book, invidious though such comparisons would have been anyway.

For me the best thing about the picture is the performance of Colin Firth as Paul. I've generally not been a major fan of his, but here he is immensely likeable and endearing as an "everyman" figure, genial but, like all of us, flawed.

Paul's new girlfriend Sarah (played by Ruth Gemmell) might initially seem like something of a stereotype, but the character injects the "tension" which is essential to making the whole thing work. I am perhaps not qualified to comment on the performance of the actress, as I haven't known many people like her character! Holly Aird, who I have always been a fan of, provides some good moments as Sarah's friend Jo.

This movie is now a bit of a time capsule, largely set as it is at a time when football was still seen by many as an undesirable, murky sub-culture. The post-Italia 90 broadening of the game's appeal, and its attendant new-found respectability, make some of the dialogue seem quaint, and I'm not sure whether this would have worked as well if it was set in the 21st century football/cultural environment.

Like so many modern films, it is well-produced and comfortable in that bland fashion. The dialogue is relatively subtle, though, even oblique, and the "philosophizing" is well-pitched and quite credible, doubtless due to the involvement of Nick Hornby.  So many similar works overdo the "meaning of life" angle, but here it is done sparingly and adroitly.

There are some retro/flashback sequences, mostly set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which help us to trace and comprehend the origins of Paul's obsession. These are quite sweet, and Luke Aikman does a good, convincing job as the young Paul, as does Neil Pearson as Paul's father.

I guess that the main themes of the film are those of "growing up", and the extent to which we need balance in our lives between the practical and the more "irrational" pursuits. Do we need both in order to be truly happy, content and fulfilled?  However much we kid ourselves, some of our impulses can never be truly suppressed. They endure, and perhaps what matters is how we manage them.

"Fever Pitch" does have very faint echoes of the romantic comedies which were so prevalent during the 1990s, but the vacuity and schmaltz are thankfully absent.  In its understated way, it is more like an art film, although elements of the ending border on the corny.

Not a masterpiece by any means, but entertaining and heart-warming.

Arsenal 1 Leeds United 0

Prior to tonight's FA Cup Third Round tie at the Emirates, I was slightly unclear in my mind whether the match represented an unwelcome hindrance to Leeds, in view of their league woes, or whether it would be a pleasant diversion, permitting the team to operate without the usual pressure, or rather with a different set of pressures to normal.

On paper, the team fielded by Simon Grayson looked comparatively attacking in nature, although this was probably forced on him by the club's daunting injury list. I thought to myself, very optimistically, that this was a bold move, designed to ensure that, one way or another, Leeds would not be encumbered by the prospect of a replay.  Arsenal were not totally at full strength, but still looked formidable, with bounteous options on the bench, including one Thierry Henry.

In the event, the Leeds line-up was not allowed to express itself, because from the outset Arsenal settled into their familiar pattern of retaining possession, and creating elaborate passing movements.  This was not unexpected, but Leeds contained them, and weathered the early "storm", such as it was.  In those early minutes, Leeds displayed little in the way of attacking thrust.

The best effort which Leeds could muster in the first half was a shot over the bar by Luciano Becchio, on 23 minutes. He could probably have done better.

On the whole, however, Leeds defended solidly and quite resolutely in that first period, repelling whatever was thrown at them, although admittedly this was not very much.

In my notes at half-time, I speculated whether Arsene Wenger would make changes at the interval, as Arsenal desired a replay even less than Leeds. Their efforts on goal had been restricted mainly to long range shots and a few tame headers. As it turned out, the pivotal substitutions did not occur until later...

The sight of Henry warming up early in the second half appeared to spur the Gunners on, although Andrei Arshavin continued to be wasteful in front of goal.

"Attritional" may be the best term to describe the Leeds performance immediately  after the break, save for an early surge down the right-hand side.  Arsenal gradually began to pose a more sustained threat, and Leeds were forced back more and more.

Of course, the crucial intervention was made by that man Thierry Henry, brought on just before three-quarters distance, along with Theo Walcott.  The way that these things tend to pan out, it was almost inevitable that the returning legend would get his name on the score-sheet!

As the North London team pressed more , they left a few gaps behind their defence, but Leeds were unable to exploit this, or capitalise.

On balance, Arsenal deserved their victory, for playing the more enterprising football, and having the lion's share of the attempts on goal.  They made all the running, even if they looked laboured at times.

So where does this leave Leeds' season?   Well, they are out of the Cup, which is never a good outcome. On the other hand, there is no replay to clog up their fixture list, and some aspects of this evening's display, such as the resilience and organisation which they showed, might instill some badly needed confidence and morale.  We shall see....

The Manchester derby

Well, as a Leeds United fan, things could not have worked out much better this weekend. After Leeds fashioned a narrow but important win on Saturday, so Manchester City defeated their local rivals 6-1 in one of Sunday's matches.

No doubt many supporters of other clubs will be gloating and taking delight in Manchester United's discomfort and misfortune. However, history tells us that Sir Alex Ferguson is perfectly capable of rousing his men from their disappointment, and emerging victorious in May.

Whilst it would be premature and unwise to write off the Old Trafford club, it does seem that this City squad is closer to being the genuine article, beginning to function as a well-oiled machine, rather than as a collection of personalities and individuals. More importantly, perhaps, they look to have more belief and togetherness than before.

The gruelling winter months will tell us much, and Roberto Mancini will still be required to keep all of his star players happy, and ensure that morale can withstand any unforeseen setbacks. The City cause is arguably aided by less intense competition, with the jury still out on the "new" Chelsea, Arsenal off the pace, and other pretenders not yet entirely convincing.

The next few months will reveal plenty about the respective coaching and playing staffs of the two Manchester clubs, but I say again, write off the men in the red shirts at your peril....