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It is rather interesting how people's views on things are so different. For instance I have heard some say that High Fidelity is a better film than Grosse Pointe Blank, another John Cusack Film. Normally I would try not to compare the two movies, but the marketers of the film have forced me to. That and in both films Cusack likes to have these little moments with the camera, which I find interesting since Mr. Cusack likes to do this in many of his other films (see Being John Malkovich). But enough of the comparisons for now. High Fidelity starts with Cusack's character Rob breaking up with Laura (Iben Hjejle). Rob's reaction to this causes him to analyze his entire history of relationships, and more importantly it causes him to rank his top five breakups. So for a good portion of the rest of the film we are intertwined between past loves and the current breakup (with Rob's record store employees Dick & Barry thrown in for some comedic relief). Dick (Todd Louiso, Jerry Maguire) is this full of himself music knowledge ass, while Barry (Jack Black, Enemy of the State) is just as knowledgeable, but not as outspoken and also not an ass. Both are not very customer friendly employees in the record store that Rob owns. Another story line dropped in is that of a couple of punks who turn out to be good musicians with Justin (Ben Carr) as the leader. Then you can mention Tim Robbins (Mission to Mars) as a new age counselor whom Laura has moved in with as yet another sub-story. In fact one of the best scenes in the film involves Robbins' character Ian when Ian shows up at the record store to try and get Rob to stop stalking Laura. At the end of the scene you see three scenarios of what Rob would like to see happen to Ian, and the last one is the best. In that scenario you have the quiet, non-aggressive Barry just clocking Ian with a telephone to the jaw before beating the hell out of him (Rob and Dick also help). Stephen Frears directs the film that is based on the novel by Nick Hornby. Sister Joan Cusack is also in High Fidelity as Rob & Laura's friend Liz. The rest of the cast includes Chris Rehmann, Lili Taylor, Lisa Bonet, Joelle Carter, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I guess you could say that this film is about lists, namely top five lists, but really it is about Rob learning to love and understand Laura by examining his past. That said, I'll move on. First, I loved the Dick & Barry characters and Ian was a good character too. Second, the John Cusack thing of soliloquies to the camera is frankly getting a bit tired. Now I did like High Fidelity, but not as much as Grosse Pointe Blank. For the About-Movies.com rating I give it seven couches. Adios amigos. Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:49:31 AM |
