MovieChat Forums > Fever Pitch (1997) Discussion > They should make this obligatory for wom...

They should make this obligatory for women...

posted 20 years ago by GEERONIMO
34 replies | jump to latest

I, football fan, recognised a lot of myself and my friends in this. It fails to explain (but then again, it cannot be explained) but makes clear and understandable (to some extent) a man's love for a club and the way his mood is connected to his club's success. Although the book is better, no woman would make it past page two, and the film adaptation makes the subject more accessible for people that are not into football. Some scenes are great, also the scene which is not in the book where the two women argue about whether men unintendedly suck them into their weird worlds. When your wife, girlfriend or partner does not understand your need to compulsively follow everything that has to do with your club, show her this and she will show some understanding for that behaviour (which by no means she will understand it, she never will...)

I hope i do not appear to be a sexist bastard, cause i'm not, but the common beliefs about differences between the sexes so often turn out to be true. I hope i do not offend any women who understand football, because i know you exist, but chances are depressingly few i will ever meet one of your kind.

Oh and by the way, if your American, don't bother to react. You wouldn't understand.

[–] badboyyardie 20 years ago

I feel obligated to respond to the last line of your original post. I'm an American and have been a serious soccer fan since I was about 13, watching every moment of USA 94 and I've been an avid chelsea supporter since about 97 when I started to follow the premier league closely, so go and pick apart what I just said, but I assure I have quite a good bit of knowledge on your football.
For you to say that an american wouldn't understand this movie is ridiculous. Paul and Arsenal are just a vehicle for telling the story, this story can be told about anyone who religiously and manaically supports their favorite team, be it Arsenal or the Boston Red Sox. And if you don't think boston red sox fans would relate to this movie, then you're on crack. Anyone who supports a team as fervently as Paul did the Arse can relate to this movie, to the longing for just a championship, something to validate those years of loving and hating the team all at the same time, the amount of time and effort you put into supporting your tea, only to see them break your heart year after year.
Your claim is just ludicrous that an American wouldn't able to relate to this movie because it is about soccer. I have friends that wouldn't talk to you for days upon end after the Philadelphia Eagles crashed out of the NFL playoffs a game before the Super Bowl this past January, for the third straight year. I loved this damned movie and I can't stand arsenal. You need to get of your high *beep* horse. I know you'll probably just pick this apart, since I'm an "american" but can I tell you how depressed I was when Chelsea coughed up that 2-0 lead late in the first half against Monaco in the semis of the Champions League in the game they had to win 2-0 in the second leg. I remember watching them crash out of the CL in 2000 when they surrrenedered their 3-1 lead against Barca in the second leg and thinking when the hell would they get back there. Then the next year losing in UEFA Cup to some third-division Swiss Club. I hope I proved my point that this is a film that all sports fans can appreciate.

"There's sometimes a buggy. How many drivers does a buggy have?"

[–] jaydogg8 20 years ago

As an American, I don't like generalized "Americans shouldn't bother" statements, but GEERONIMO does have a point to a certain extent. I do believe that the average American filmgoer would be able to understand this and enjoy this movie. But unless one follows English football closely, which is difficult to do in the US, even an American soccer fan would be confused with some of the details of the film -- details such as: the significance of Hillsborough, who George Graham is, that the Premiership used be called Divsion 1, who Orient is, who Gary Lineker is, that the UEFA Cup used to be called the Fairs Cup and so on.

So while I definitely disagree that Americans wouldn't understand this film, I can see how an American would get lost in the details. Just my two cents.

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[–] FirthAddict 19 years ago

I'm a huge red sox fan and I can completely understand where the book and movie are coming from. Every spring a good part of my life goes to the red sox and its up there on my priority list. Oh yeah and I'm a girl. I may be American but it doesn't mean I can't understand. If there was a book and a movie about the Superbowl I wouldn't say that anyone who isn't American wouldn't understand. They've got stuff like the Superbowl and while it's not exactly the same thing they understand the spirit of it. Just because I'm not British doesn't mean I don't understand. My dad's family is from Britain so I go over there mostly every summer. Im a devoted Arsenal fan as well. So I think you might want to think before you say such crap accusations.

[–] Crocodile (2954) 3 years ago

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[–] ViciousWallflower 20 years ago

I wouldn't be so inflammatory as to call you a "sexist bastard" but the comment "no woman wouldn't make it past page 2" definitely bothered me. I'm a woman (an American woman, at that) and I loved Hornby's book, far better than I liked the movie (though I enjoy that as well). Gender and nationality don't entitle you to a monopoly on certain feelings and experiences.

Just my two cents.

[–] GEERONIMO 20 years ago

I feel I have to apologize to both Americans and women (and especially American women :-) ) as I seem to have made you a little more incensed than I intended. I'm not a sexist bastard nor am I a racist, and I just used a cheap technique to get some reactions on my post, and that might make me a lowlife wanker, fair enough, but I'm not as bad as I seem. I know women as well who read the book and loved it and of course Americans can live for their team in whatever sport and recognize themselves in Nick Hornby's brilliant self-evaluation. I just made easy use of the old cliches that women don't like sport (if you want to get even with me you can say that in a random shopping centre men would not get past the first shoestore... and that's not meant to be nasty, I think it should be possible to joke about our differences...) and that Americans don't like football (and when I say football, I mean football, the sport people in the US of A tend to call soccer). But in all honesty... if I just wrote that Hornby's book was great and the film to a lesser extent as well, than you would have all nodded your heads agreeing totally and I would not have known that you, Americans and women with good taste, exist (mmm, caution again, I mean, i know Americans and women with good taste exist, but it's always nice to see my beliefs confirmed). So, sorry if (read: that) I offended you and great that you appreciate either football (don't have to explain it again do I ;-D ), Hornby's work or both!

[–] nordiqueboy77 20 years ago

As a Canadian and a big hockey fan, I totally got this film!!!! I think the story is universal, about human relationships, and Paul's obsession about Arsenal is just like my own with my beloved late lamented Quebec Nordiques.

[–] cactusx 20 years ago

To the 2nd poster: I can understand how anyone, not just an Englishman, could relate to Paul but as for your first few lines, I got two words for you: GLORY HUNTER. Why support Chelsea? You ever been to West London in your life? The same goes to all you cockneys, geordies or brummies on the board that support Man U or people from south of the river or the north of England that support Arsenal.

CPFC-Pride of Selhurst

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[–] badboyyardie 19 years ago

No, I ain't ever been to west london or the bridge, but I enjoyed watching them and the players that were there. Zola, Poyet, DiMatteo, DeGoey, Wise, Jody Morris, Vialli, Flo. Of course they've been the beneficiary of the Abramovich's millions, which makes any chelsea fan an easy target for ridicule, much like people who are now red sox fans. I was there in the front row this past summer in philadelphia when they played Milan and the Linc and have payed 20 bucks on more than one occasion to watch them on pay-per-view. I watch them every damn time they're on fox soccer channel, it's much easier following them now with FSC and the fact that ESPN2 is actually showing champions league matches. You don't have to be from the area of the team you support. In college I threw fits when they choked off the 3-1 lead at Barca in the second leg and how about the goddamn lets give the Arse three goals in the final 15 minutes and lose in 2000 (which they effing showed on dream team when harchester lost to the arse-bastards). How about last year when they *beep* up against Monaco, Monaco!!! I didn't jump ship and decide to support someone else. Glory Hunter, yea because the FA Cup and Cup Winners Cup are such monumental trophies (but trophies nonetheless). Hell, I spent most of november and december waiting for the collapse to come and the arse find last year's form. It'll be 50 damn years since they last won the title, but you won't see me pretending to act like I've gone to the Bridge every Saturday for the past 50 years, but I'll damn sure celebrate.
Sure they've spent the money, what about their domestic crop of players though- they've got more than damn arse and manchester in the regular starting XI, even though Lampard isn't a homegrown chelsea product, find me a player that's been more clutch in the premier league. He'll probbaly be up for european footballer of the year- that second goal against Munich last Wednesday was a thing of beauty. Money doesn't equal talent and a lot of that money (Ferreira, Carvahlo and Tiago) was Mourniho fattening up Porto's books. Drogba is paying off and Kezman could come around eventually. Let's talk about offloading Veron and Crespo- thank god. and keeping Gudjohnsen. How about the development of Cole, Wayne Bridge and the emergence of Robben as one of the most exciting in Europe
So say what you want, I'm used to hearing it about being a "glory hunter"- if that's the case why didn't I become a ManUre fan in 99 after the treble (I will admit though that I pull for United in europe (I trained twice with tim howard when I was in high school), but laughed my ass off when they lost to Norwich this weekend). I've said what I wanted to, I think- I too will never see this damned bastarized version of fever pitch.

"Do people ever try to kill you?"
"Yes, but I defend myself with my superior wit and guile."

[–] josephharrington 18 years ago

Badboyyardie,

To talk about Chelsea's development of domestic players is a joke. I'm not a Hammer, but their youth academy has turned out a lot of British stars, Lampard, Cole, Rio and Anton Ferdinand amongst others, so you've got to give them credit. Beyond John Terry, have any of chelsea's players come up from even their youth side, let alone being british and coming up?

British stars are way overpriced. Anyone who thinks that 30million for Rio Ferdinand is a fair price is a mug. Unfortunately, anywhere where a bidding war starts, Chelsea will win.

[–] daniel_wrightson 17 years ago

anyone who says the fa cup isn't a monumental trophy dosen't deserve to have the tag even of glory hunter

someone from a nation that refers to their baseball champions as world champions (news for you, to be world champions you'd have to compete against other countries, and to do that it would have to be played in other countries) trying to diminish the greatest club competition in the world. nice one

still, you've proved one thing to me- glory hunters really do feel a lot less than the real fans. and before you say yet again you aren't a glory hunter- if you weren't you would find a way to attend at least a couple of matches a year (like the wednesday fan who flies over to sheffield from chicago every game)

[–] jenny_ball666 13 years ago

"Glory Hunter, yea because the FA Cup and Cup Winners Cup are such monumental trophies"

love how the yank tries to prove he's a big english football fan and then *beep* all over the FA cup, the oldest most prestigious domestic trophy in world football.

*facepalm*

www.saintsfc.co.uk

[–] arsenalgrrrl 16 years ago

I wasn't actually offended when I read the post. It made me feel like a hybrid of sorts.

I am woman. I am American. I am obsessed with Arsenal.

I get it.

(gasp)

:-)

[–] clayheadswamp 19 years ago

make a Colin Firth film obligatory for women . . . guess you don't "get" Colin Firth. maybe in the same way lots of folks don't get the sports thing?

now, fella, I'm a girl, I'm an American and when I saw Fever Pitch I was amazed that I'd never heard of it. when Paul talked of being a part of a single voice, I thought of so many Red Sox moments, most prior to October 27, 2004 agonies but that's beside the point (get Good Will Hunting for the talk of Carlton Fisk hitting a baseball into the 1975 night sky and people all over New England on their feet waving that ball fair.)

so, I am compoundedly appalled that a) this beautiful little film is being remade in to some glitzy Hollywood product which b)diminishes the magic of Ocotber 27, 2004. mainly, though, I see this as an opportunity to say what Red Sox fans haven't been able to say for 86 years

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!

[–] indiepheemal 19 years ago

I've read this book. It's one of my favorite books, and I actually like it more than the other hornby books i've read. And i really liked Nick Hornby. I'm also an American woman. You know why i believe i understand and have enjoyed this? Because I spent a summer getting up at 3 am for no reason other than to watch the all blacks play rugby, but i ended up quitting because they lost every time i watched.

[–] jtheway22 19 years ago

Of course they should make this obligatory for women - it has Colin Firth in it!

If you want something done properly, kill Baldrick before you start.

[–] seh-7 18 years ago

No woman would make it past page two?

Hmm... then I must be a freak of nature. I'm female, reading FP at the moment, well past page two, and am absolutely loving it.

Get over your chauvanistic hold ups mate, football is not the arena of males only. Myself and many of my female friends are passionate football supporters (admittedly, my best mate supports an entirely different code - AFL - whereas I'm an oddiity in Australia who insists on calling "soccer" by it's PROPER name, football) and I'm yet to meet a woman who actually, legitimately and *seriously* struggles to comprehend sport. I've met quite a few that play up the ditzy-woman-in-sport stereotype, but few take them seriously.

[–] colinforever 18 years ago

Just as all men should be forced to watch P&P...

[–] fresinha 17 years ago

Haha, excellent! What a glorious way to spend a rainy Sunday when there's no football on telly, just watch P&P and FP in a row :)

To badboyyardie: Chelsea didn't loose to some third division Swiss club, it was St. Gallen, first Swiss division, just for the record ;)

[–] belleged66 17 years ago

I am an American, and woman, and yes we do understand and I love this film. I understand and love this movie and I am a football fan. I mean proper football not American Football. I know what it is like to get up at crazy times in the middle of the night to watch England or Chelsea play on the cable television here. I know what it is like to see England loose or be cheated by Argentina during the world cup in the Semi Final ...

i know what it is like to get totally drawn into a game and feel like it is like a life or death situation.

You don't sound sexist pig you juSt don'T understand how similar women can be to men.

Oh did I mention my dad played for Sunderland in the 60's.....

I do not like that they did a cheapening remake of this movie. Baseball is not equal to Football. And I rather like baseball but come on. Football is number 1 everywhere except America..

Oh now as a girl I also liked how sexy Colin Firth was in this movie. Ding Dong..

[–] GEERONIMO 17 years ago

Haha since I once started this topic my girlfriend has read the book too! She already was a football fan (and by football I mean football, not some wacky American game) so she recognised a lot of scenes from the book, but still, I like the fact my words have been contradicted since I judged so harshly on you lot ;)

[–] belleged66 17 years ago

You do know what buttons to push. I hate American Football as well.I dated the quarterback in High School and was forced to do cheerleading at the games for 3 years. Yuck I could never get my head around it.
To much starting and stopping etc....Snore fest. But I can appreciate some people must like it.I just can not figure it out...

The only American sport I really follow is Baseball but I do prefer proper football. Why do American call it football when 98% of the time it is never moved around with there foot? They should call it handball really.....

[–] GEERONIMO 17 years ago

Ha, but then they would have to call it American Handball cause here in Europe we have a sport called handball too :D

Anyhoo, I couldn't agree with you more :)...

[–] filmwatcher2002 16 years ago

Geronimo, I'm sure you've been pleasantly shocked to realize how many rabid American female sports fans there are.

I've been a Mets baseball fan for too many years, and just like Arsenal did to Paul, they have broken my heart nearly every year except for a few shining glorious moments. The final scenes in this movie reminded me so much of the absolute joy in Shea Stadium I witnessed in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, when the ball went thru Bill Buckner's legs and the Mets improbably won the game. The stadium actually shook with the vibration of 55,000 Mets fans collectively jumping up and down. We took the #7 subway back into Manhattan, and it was like a huge party on the train and the whole of the city for the rest of the night.

{{sigh}}
Sadly, that was 22 years ago! And there have been several heartbreaking near misses since then. But I keep watching them.

So yes, some of us do "get it."
And I loved this film!

[–] GEERONIMO 16 years ago

Hah well I'm dating a rabid female sports fan now, so all right, I admit I was off :). She's worse than me!

But anyhoo, in part my point in still valid, many women still say What's all the fuzz about?! and worse, ask us to explain it! This book would serve them right, or, who knows, maybe you rabid American female sports fans can tell them to either join us or stop nagging!

[–] perfect_angel93 16 years ago

Amazingly I am english and I don't like football all that much
and its weird how i feel out of place on this board haha
errrm i dunno probably because women dont remember stuff about football because they dont see it as stuff that needs to be remembered so they forget and then ask again and remember for like a week and then forget.

but this is like men and shoes

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