High Fidelity (2000) starring John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins directed by Stephen Frears Movie Review

High Fidelity (2000)   3/53/53/53/53/5


John Cusack in High Fidelity (2000)

Cusack Gets His Groove On

Rob Gordon (John Cusack) owns his own record store stuffed full of rare vinyl's which attracts the sort of crowd looking for rare Smith's singles. It isn't the most successful of businesses despite having two assistants; the introverted Dick (Todd Luiso) and the extroverted Barry (Jack Black) who loves to belittle other's music choices. But his business is not the only thing in Rob's life which is failing as his long time girlfriend has walked out and it has forced him to examine his top 5 break-up list.

As a movie reviewer I read other reviews by all sorts of people from those who write for the tabloids to those who think it would be great to make money through a movie blog only to realise it isn't that easy. Over time I have found a few reviewers who I share similar opinions with but also those who I rarely agree with. But it is one of those reviewers who I don't always agree with where I found the best thing written about "High Fidelity" as they said this is a movie with out depth. I like that because I had read so many other opinions about the movie's depth and I thought I must be watching a different movie as I couldn't see it.

Jack Black in High Fidelity (2000)

So yes "High Fidelity" has zero depth as on one hand it is about the failing love life of the self obsessed Rob who over the years has tried to meet the right girl and change himself to suit them but deep down he is who he is, a list make obsessive who is too in his own head to be really their for someone else more than just physically. And I like that because whilst the world would like you to think that you must meet someone there are people in this world who are better by themselves, living life on their terms. But I also like this because John Cusack delivers that aspect of neurosis which makes his self obsessed ramblings entertaining although only ever humorous never anything more.

But then we also have Barry and Dick who provide the movie's double act as they constantly argue over music whilst in the record store and make customers feel small because of their choices of music. Yes Jack Black basically plays Jack Black and delivers the sort of rock mime moves he would go on to use time and again in his own movies but they are an amusing double act whose bickering makes you smile. But that is it as there is no depth to their arguing over music.

What this all boils down to is that "High Fidelity" is entertaining; it has enjoyable performances and enjoyable characters. But whilst I will guarantee that you will find reviews which tell you that it is a movie of depth in truth it isn't and it is just a movie of characters, performances and a man's observations on love.


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