Fever Pitch (2005)

Also known as "The Perfect Catch"
Overall Score: 7 out of 10

A comedy about the game of love.

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Jason Spevack, Kack Kehler, Scott Severance, Jessamy Finet, Maureen Keiller, Lenny Clarke, Ione Skye, KaDee Strickland, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Evan Helmuth, Brandon Craggs, Brett Murphy, Isabella Fink

Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Running Time: 103 minutes

US MPAA rating: PG-13
UK BBFC rating: PG
Comedy, Romance

When Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore) finds out that her new beau Ben (Jimmy Fallon) is a big-time Boston Red Sox fan, her response is music to his ears. "You're a romantic with a lyrical soul," she tells him. "You can live under the best and worst conditions." Exactly! She's got it in one. THAT, peeps, is why sports fans are the best sort of people. But just try reminding her of that a few weeks down the line when the season's started and those carefree weekend barbecues have turned into afternoons of sitting in the stands yelling mindless abuse at the opposition's best player. Oh yes, it's a different story then, isn't it? Well, ISN'T IT??

Ben and Lindsey's problem in 'Fever Pitch' is a familiar one, particularly if you've ever read Nick Hornby's book of the same name or seen the disappointing 1997 adaptation starring Colin Firth. This American attempt at transferring Hornby's cult favourite to the big screen is less faithful to the source material than Firth's effort (most notably in the switch from football/soccer to baseball), but it's also far more successful.

Here, Barrymore and Fallon make a believable couple with the effect that, when their relationship starts to go tits-up, you've got enough invested in it to actually care. In fact, from a Fallon point of view it's even good enough to exorcise the still-lingering ghost of last year's appalling '

It's Got: A fresh enough premise to avoid throwing in too many clichés.

It Needs: Some more romantic leeway for us poor misunderstood sports fans.

Alternatives: Fever Pitch (1997 version)

Summary: An entertaining rom-com about a relationship in need of a sporting chance. Overall Score: 7 out of 10

Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 15th August 2005