Rating: Summary: SO THE BRITS DO ACTUALLY GET EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING Review: I have to admit I am not a soccer fan so the main reason I got this film was Colin Firth. The film is warm, witty and empathetic to obsessed sports fans of all walks of life. I almost wanted to sit the main female character down and have a long talk with her about her unrealistic expectations and potential for letting a good thing go for really stupid reasons. Luckily she does figure these things out for herself by the end and we cheer for her, her man and the joy of being a devoted fan in general. Needless to say, I loved the film and recommend it heartily.
Rating: Summary: Drama Review: I just want to clarify something here. This movie is more of a drama than a romantic comedy. Sure, we see the struggle of the relationship vs soccer, but it is more about Paul inability to find solid ground in life -- not provided by soccer. It easy to understand why so many American's are disappointed with this movie because in the U.S. no sport is followed with the kind of obsession and fanaticism as soccer is in Europe. I also have to point out that the cover is a deplorable attempt to sell this movie -- the cover in Europe is different (no sex pitch :). If you are looking for a romantic comedy with a European flavor go get "Sliding doors" or "Together".
Rating: Summary: Ex-pat. Americans experience with the movie and Highbury. Review: I lived and worked in London from 1997-1998. As it turned out, I ended up finding a flat on Highbury Park Road in North London. Closest tube stop: Arsenal on the Picadilly Line.
I walked past the Grounds nearly everyday.
When I first mentioned my new neighborhood to my English workmates, they thought I was either mad, that I'd want to live so close to Highbury or lied to by an unscrupulous estate agent "yes, this neighborhood of Islington is quite leafy and quiet. In fact, Tony Blair lived here before he became PM!"
A friend suggested I check out "Fever Pitch" to find out a bit more about my neighborhood and the "Gooners."
Well, I had to say it was a great introduction for me into the life of an Arsenal supporter and live in the neighborhood. 1998 was the year they won the double (League & FA Cup) for only the 2nd time in their history. Incidentally, this was the first time in my life I had ever seen riot police & helicopters flying overhead shining lights down on the streets. Seemed a bit LA'ish!
I couldn't quite figure out why I was attracted to the neighborhood, nor why I so much liked the film, until I saw a newspaper article comparing the MLB Red Sox & Yankees to Arsenal & Manchester United (respectively). I finally realized that growing up in Boston, I had found my second home in North London!
Well, this review is more about my experience in London, but the film was a great part of that experience.
Rating: Summary: A Great Movie Review: I read the book that this movie is based on a couple of times before I finally got a chance to see the movie. It's too bad that this film wasn't released in theaters here in the US, I think it would've done pretty well.Yes it's true that the book and the movie differ from one another, but the movie really works, even if the main character isn't named Nick Hornby. I must say that Mr Hornby has got me hooked on Arsenal now as well. Sure the outcome of the movie, when it comes to the romance between Paul and Sarah, is easy to predict, but that's not really the point of this movie. Any sports addict will see themselves in Paul, there is no doubt about that. But that's half the fun of this movie. We can laugh along with him, or at him because we see some of the same things we do when we let a sport consume our lives. I'm glad that this film was made in the UK, it wouldn't have worked being made anywhere else. I think Ruth Gemmell is an outstanding actress, and she seemed to be the perfect choice to play Sarah. Colin Firth as Paul, it seemed like the part was made for him. Even if you might have a problem with the English slang, give this movie a try. It's well worth the time.
Rating: Summary: Good Actors, Good Music, Good Story, Bad Ending Review: I really enjoyed this movie right up to the last scenes. Then it completely fell apart. The acting was great, the story of the two opposites was engaging, the supporting characters were excellent. But I just couldn't buy the ending. Sorry. Nick Hornby's About a Boy and High Fidelity were outstanding books, I read and re-read them. The movie versions were good, too, almost as good as the books. I started Fever Pitch, but my complete lack of knowledge or interest in football kept me from finishing. The movie was a definite improvement over the book, in that you don't need to be a fan to enjoy or understand the story. But that ending ...
Rating: Summary: Witty, humorous and delightful Review: I really enjoyed this movie very much. I watched it after "About a Boy" and then realized it is by the same author. I have heard about this book, but didn't think I would like it, because I am not too obsessed by soccer. But the movie is not about soccer. It is about the difference between men and women psychology and how it affects our lives. I could see myself in her and my husband in him, although he has other obsessions. And I realized that we as women just don't recognize and value the kid that lives in many men. We can't be serious all the time. Well, nevertheless, they need to commit at some point and to grow up. So each side has to make some compromise and "meet in the middle". I personally think this is one of the best roles played by Colin Firth and I liked his performance more than in Pride and Prejudice.
Rating: Summary: Witty, humorous and delightful Review: I really enjoyed this movie very much. I watched it after "About a Boy" and then realized it is by the same author. I have heard about this book, but didn't think I would like it, because I am not too obsessed by soccer. But the movie is not about soccer. It is about the difference between men and women psychology and how it affects our lives. I could see myself in her and my husband in him, although he has other obsessions. And I realized that we as women just don't recognize and value the kid that lives in many men. We can't be serious all the time. Well, nevertheless, they need to commit at some point and to grow up. So each side has to make some compromise and "meet in the middle". I personally think this is one of the best roles played by Colin Firth and I liked his performance more than in Pride and Prejudice.
Rating: Summary: A real treat Review: I recommend this movie. It's based on the novel by Nick Hornby who is perhaps better known for his book/movie High Fidelity. It's set in London and centers on the relationship between a football-mad English teacher male and a football-hating English teacher female. Well, guess what happens? Of course they get together and we are entertained as they sort out their awkward relationship. It's cleaverly written and acted and is a "date movie" that is "cute", but also very satisfying. The book is almost exclusively about football and the relationship is mentioned only in the context of getting in the way of attending matches (isn't that the truth), but I suppose they figured that wouldn't make for much of a movie so the relationship takes center stage on film. Don't worry, it works. Being football-mad myself it was great to see a film that featured the sport and the relationship fans have with the team and to treat the whole thing as important...which it is! By the way, by football I mean soccer. Frankly, apart from having the main character support the wrong club (he's an Arsenal fan) it's a fine film. Enjoy.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie Review: I throughly enjoyed this movie. Being a huge sports fan, including English Soccer, I related very well to the movie. But it is more than just a sports movie, it is more about being a sports fanatic. I have also discovered that women enjoy this movie as well. It gives them greater understanding of the true fan and why we develop such loyalties to our favorite teams. It also has the most exciting final game that is 100% true to history.
Rating: Summary: Worth it despite the usual US marketing screwup Review: I wrote an earlier review of Nick Hornby's 'Fever Pitch' as well. It's worth writing a separate review of the movie because it's so different. Not better, or worse. Just different. The book focuses on Hornby's lifelong obession with Arsenal, the English Premiership football (aka 'soccer') club. In the movie, Hornby's written a script that focuses on one extended episode from the book. It becomes more of a relationship movie. Here's evidence of the difference: my wife tried to read the book, but could only stomach about 30 pages of it. I endured it, liked it, but I'll admit that it can be a tough slog for someone that didn't grow up with English football. The names of Arsenal players, coaches and opponents became a blur at times. In contrast, we both enjoyed the movie a great deal. It's a cute little story (nothing more), and we both like all of Colin Firth's work. He's a little more rumpled than usual here, but compelling nevertheless. Oh yeah, ignore the cover box. There are no topless women. No strategically placed soccer cleats. It's yet another odd effort by American re-packagers thinking they have to disguise the true nature of a British movie (see also "Brassed Off" and, most egregiously, "East is East").
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