Review of High Fidelity (2000) by Steve H — 26 Dec 2009

Come on. Why "High Fidelity"? The compulsion with pop music and the vinyl store are obvious.

Mark Englehard's Amazon review is excellent. But here's a missing piece. "Fidelity" (or rather commitment) to love relationships is the real story here, the hunt, the big discovery--and it takes some time for our hero Rob to figure this one out.

He seems caught in (or inexplicably cursed with) a parade of revolving door romances. Basically a nice guy--normal, run of the mill. Why should life be so hard, and love so unsatisfying, always slipping away?

Rob finally discovers it's not so much "them." It's him--or us. It's a guy thing. All along, he's been trying to "keep his options open"--it's suicide, he concludes. Also, he finally tires of the cyclical pull of that fantasy dream girl. He sides with--truly commits to--the solid, reliable "real" thing, real love, real people--with all their flaws and simple pleasures. And he discovers the joys of doing what she likes, not just his own bidding.

These wake-ups appear at odd moments, as Rob sorts through, re-visits (literally) his past failures, and muddles on.

Men will resonate, and warm to the gentle and kindly truthfulness. In the Bonus, Cusack says women love this movie, too.

It's rated "R" for frank, "adult" discussions (and some mild depictions) of sex, and for occasional strong language. Neither is central, but this is not "Bambi.".

Footnote: Director Stephen Frears has just released (Oct 2006) a highly acclaimed film called "The Queen," starring Helen Mirrin as Elizabeht II. His Bonus interviews here are worth a look.

Literate, insightful, self-knowing, self-deprecating. Male stereotypes confronted.