- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: 'FEVER PITCH' PREMIERES IN LONDON
- Date: 26th March 1997
- Summary: (MARCH 26, 1997) (RTV - AVAILABLE ALL) ACTRESS RUTH GEMELL (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING I'M NOT A HUGE FAN, BUT I TUNE IN WHEN THEY'RE ON THE TELLY AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHERE THEY ARE IN THE LEAGUE, SO THERE YOU ARE... IT DOES RUB OFF ON YOU ACTOR COLIN FIRTH (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING IT'S LIKE SAYING "RAGING BULL" IS A BOXING FILM, TO SAY THAT THIS IS A FOOTBALL FILM, I THINK IT IS ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN THAT. I THINK HAD IT JUST BEEN A FOOTBALL FILM, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD APPEAL TO ME, I'VE NEVER BEEN A BIG FOOTBALL FAN. I'M MUCH MORE OF A FAN NOW FOOTBALLER ALAM SMITH ARRIVING AT PREMIERE (GREY JACKET, GREEN SHIRT) ACTOR LUKE AIKMAN (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING I'M CERTAINLY NOT THAT OBSESSIVE, I LIKE FOOTBALL BUT NOT THAT OBSESSIVE. I LIKE TO WEAR THE SHIRT GO TO THE GAMES, FEEL THE ATMOSPHERE, AND I LIKE TO FEEL GOOD WHEN THEY WIN NEIL PEARSON (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING NICK (HORNBY) HAS GOT IT WORSE THAN ME, IF THERE WAS A BETTY FORD CLINIC FOR FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS, HE'D BE IN IT ALL HIS LIFE, BUT I'M NOT THAT BAD ) BUT THERE WAS PLENTY OF RIVALRY MAN CARRYING THE ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP CUP THROUGH LOBBY
- Embargoed: 10th April 1997 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA2S0IBNFINOZMZAIOUVDAMIMRM
- Story Text: Some of Britain's top footballers rubbed shoulders with the world of cinema on Wednesday (March 26) night at the premiere of "Fever Pitch", a film about soccer obsession and love.
Adapted from the book of the same name by Nick Hornby, "Fever Pitch" is a romantic comedy about a man, a woman and a football team - London's Arsenal.
The film is set against the backdrop of the 1988-1989 season, Arsenal's most successful for eighteen years, which culminated in winning the English League Championship. As the team progresses, obsessive fan Paul Ashworth (played by Colin Firth) tries to concentrate on his courtship with Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell).
They meet at the school where they both work and find themselves in the midst of a stormy relationship, as Sarah competes with Arsenal for Paul's affections.
But whilst the team battles its way to the top of the League, Paul starts to question his own obsession and Sarah begins to understand what Paul sees in the game.
The film also features performances from Ken Stott (Shallow Grave), the British television actor Neil Pearson (Drop the Dead Donkey) and child actor Luke Aikman, who plays the young Paul.
Although Aikman is a keen soccer fan, his loyalties lie with a rival London team to Arsenal - Watford. Since making the film, both Firth and Gemmell have grown to enjoy the game more. But it is Hornby who most resembles the main character in the film.
"If there there was a Betty Ford clinic for football supporters," said Pearson, "he'd be in it all his life".
"Fever Pitch" is a feature debut for director David Evans, whose previous credits include two award-winning short films for British television.
"Fever Pitch" will go on general release in the United Kingdom on April 4. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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