Review of High Fidelity (2000) by Steph O — 31 Jul 2010

"What came first, the music or the misery?".

John Cusack is so awesome he can rant at the camera for 2 hours and make "High Fidelity" a great movie because of it. If you don't love John Cusack I suggest you back away quickly from this movie - but who the hell doesn't love him? In "High Fidelity" he plays Rob Gordon, the owner of a record store who is completely obsessed with music. He's also obsessed with over-analysing his past and present relationships with women, and when his current girlfriend Laura leaves him Rob becomes a complete mess.

"High Fidelity" is essentially about Rob trying to sort out his life and figure out what exactly he's been doing wrong for so many years. There are some great moments where Rob 'breaks the fourth wall' and speaks directly to the camera - which is risky because in so many movies that fails miserably. Luckily "High Fidelity" succeeds in making it one of the best features of the movie. "High Fidelity" also has a pretty great supporting cast. Jack Black can so often be really annoying, but I liked him in this. He played One of Rob's employees at the record store. Catherine Zeta-Jones makes an appearance too, as one of Rob's former girlfriends.

"High Fidelity" is a bit of a tragic comedy. There aren't many points where you'll laugh out loud - but the movie doesn't want you to do that anyway. It's a smart, tragic, sweet comedy and definitely one of John Cusack's best movies. Lloyd Dobler of "Say Anything..." may still be my favourite Cusack character but Rob Gordon comes in at number 2 for sure, tied with Martin Blank of "Grosse Pointe Blank". If you love music and you love Cusack you'll love "High Fidelity" - it's that simple.