In a biting romantic comedy, Rob Gordon (John Cusack) is the owner of a semi-failing record store in Chicago, where he sells music the old-fashioned way -- on vinyl.
Did I watch High Fidelity because I love films? Or do I love films because I watched High Fidelity?
Few films can be described as being better than their source novel (and some would say it's impossible) but High Fidelity is that rare film. Based on Nick Hornby's novel of the same name, it changes the setting from London to Chicago. Yet it exceeds the novel by doing what most adaptations fail to do. You do not have to follow the novel exactly, merely translate the main themes and characters to the screen and this is High Fidelity's secret.
High Fidelity is a film for people who have ever been in love. For people who truly love music, and for people who understand the connection between the two.
As Rob, John Cusack delivers a believable, tragic and unique performance, breaking the fourth wall successfully. Listing his top five breakups, his top five records and his top five dream jobs, this allows the viewer to understand how his mind works.
The film truly captures the complexity and importance of relationships by surrounding Rob with a variety of diverse characters. The director, Stephen Frears, breaks the fourth wall, shows flashbacks, thoughts and fantasies yet the film always feels realistic and believable. This is due to the film tackling problems that everyone can relate to.
This links to High Fidelity's unique feature. It makes you think that John Cusack and the film are speaking directly to you. Without being patronizing or preaching, it pulls you in and doesn't let you go till the credits roll.
The entire cast is great. Jack Black gives one of his best performances in one of his first films. Highlighted by the contrasting performance given by Todd Louiso as Dick. The film also has excellent performances from Tim Robbins and Lisa Bonet.
The all time top five reasons why High Fidelity is the best film ever.
- John Cusack is amazing
- The music rocks
- Every performance is brilliant
- Lisa Bonet sings a great cover of Baby I Love Your Way
- Bruce Springsteen has a cameo
I tried to find a flaw in this film but simply couldn't. It is, in my opinion, a perfect film. All the pieces of the film fit perfectly. Every performance is perfect from the leads to the cameos. Every shot is perfect and never self-indulgent. The music is varied and impossible to not like. But most of all, it achieves perfection by never pretending to be more than it is, by never losing sight of what the film is about.
Love and music.
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. From the guys who brought you ´Grosse Point Blank´ comes the absolutely hilarious ´High Fidelity´. John Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, the owner of a semi-failing record store located on one of the back streets of Chicago. He sells music the old-fashioned way, on vinyl, with his two wacky clerks - the hysterically funny rock snob Barry (Jack Black) and the more quietly opinionated underachiever Dick (Todd Louiso). But Rob´s business isn't the only thing in his life that's floundering - his needle skips the love groove when his longtime girlfriend Laura (newcomer Iben Hjejle) walks out on him. And this forces him to examine his past failed attempts at romance the only way he knows how! Actors John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chris Rehmann, Iben Hjejle, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Tim Robbins, Todd Louiso, Lili Taylor, Joan Cusack & Ben Carr Director Stephen Frears Certificate 15 years and over Year 2000 Screen Widescreen 1.85:1 Languages English - Dolby Digital (5.1) Subtitles English ; English for the Hard Of Hearing ; Swedish ; Norwegian ; Danish ; Finnish ; Icelandic ; Hebrew ; Greek Duration 1 hour 49 minutes (approx) Region Region 2 - Will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.
John Cusack stars in and co-scripts this adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel about failed romance and pop music obsession, relocated from North London to Chicago. DJ-turned-record shop owner Rob Gordon (Cusack) undergoes a major crisis when his long-term girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle) walks out on him. Forced to reassess his previous failed relationships with women, Rob finds little solace with his employees - opinionated would-be rock singer Barry (Jack Black) and introverted, sensitive Dick (Todd Louiso) - who spend more time making compilation tapes and quarrelling over their all-time top five album-opener tracks than selling records. After a one-night stand with singer Marie De Salle (Lisa Bonet), Dick discovers that Laura has moved in with hated ex-neighbour Ian (Tim Robbins), and begins looking up his various exes in an attempt to find out where it all went wrong.
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