Fever Pitch 1989, a Michael Thomas goal giving Arsenal the 0–2 win they needed to win the title. "Fever Pitch" compares Hornby's life at Arsenal and other football clubs. A 2005 film remake of "Fever Pitch", directed by the Farrelly Brothers with Hornby as an executive producer, starred Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. In this adaptation (based on the 1997 film, not the 1992 book), the action is moved from London to Boston, the focus of the protagonist's obsession is shifted from football to baseball and the story is based on the 2004 Boston Red Sox season, which culminated with the team's
Fever Pitch (1997 film) Fever Pitch (1997 film) Fever Pitch is a 1997 film starring Colin Firth, based loosely on Nick Hornby's best-selling memoir, "Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life" (1992). Hornby also wrote the screenplay. Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalized the story, concentrating on Arsenal's First Division championship-winning season in 1988–89 and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays Paul Ashworth, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in North London and his romance with Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell), a new teacher who joins Ashworth's school. The film culminates with the real life events of