Do you like compiling Top 5 lists? If you do, then this is the film for you.
Adapted from a Nick Hornby novel, John Cusack stars is the lead role as Rob Gordon, the downtrodden, neurotic record store owner, whose store, Championship Vinyl is rarely frequented by a customer. A lot of this may be down to his less than welcoming assistant Barry played by Jack Black, who loves to belittle people who he deems do not have the same level of musical knowledge as he does, and he is the only person in the whole film worth watching. Together with the other unpaid assistant Dick (Todd Louiso), they compile top 5 favourite song lists, Top 5 tapes, and Top 5 songs for a Monday morning.
Rob obsesses over his past relationships, and the reasons for their failure. Is it down to him, or will he manage one day to make a relationship that lasts? He thinks that he has with Laura played by Iben Hjejle, until she leaves him for their leacherous neighbour Ian. Laura felt that she was maturing and moving on with life, whilst Rob was still playing at being an adult, avoiding commitment whenever possible, and I have to agree with her!
Rob tries to get over Laura by dating famous singer Marie DeSalle played by thebeautiful Lisa Bonet, but he just cannot get over the nagging doubt that he is unable to sustain a healthy relationship, so he compiles a list of all of his ex girlfriends, and endeavours to contact them to find out what went wrong. He makes a Top 5 list of the most painful break ups, the top 5 things he misses about Laura. In the book, it was amusing, in the film it is pathetic.
The book was set in London, but for the purpose of the film, the location is Chicago, which is the first error. It does not work.
Normally I am a fan of John Cusack, but I just cannot understand why he took on this role, as all throughout the film he looked mildly embarassed, and he chats to the camera become more annoying with each instance. As co-producer he is not much more successful.
My top 5 reasons for hating this film are:
1. It is the weakest adaption of a Nick Hornby novel to date.
2. John Cusack is not convincing in the role of Rob.
3. Tim Robbins is laughable in the role of Ian the lothario.
4. Chicago is not London!!!
5. Jack Black did not have enough of a starring role.
I have to say that there is one redeeming feature of the film along with Jack Black, and that is the soundtrack. It includes some brilliant songs such as 'A Town Called Malice' by The Jam.
A terrible film, which is a weak adaptation of a first class book, and it totally lacked the comedy element needed to make it a better film. It was boring and instantly forgettable. I can't even bring myself to watch again in case I was wrong. Even the many cameos from actors such as Tim Robbins and Catherine Zeta Jones fail to save it.
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Have to agree with you totally on this one. An interesting point was though I found my friends in relationships absolutely loved this film and my single friends (me included at the time) thought it was shite...what that says I'm not sure ;o)
KarenUK 12.10.2002 18:35
I've got the book (which I haven't read yet) but haven't seen the film.
glitterprincess 09.10.2002 15:07
Great op. I totally agree. The book was brilliant and the film was such a disappointment - why, oh why did they think it would work in Chicago?! And I'm not the only one that thought that Ian was laughable!! :) Jami
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Advantages: John Cusack on top form. The qualities of the book remain intact. Simply smarter, funnier and more believeable than all other films of this kind. Disadvantages: The only conceivable drawback is that some women might not find it all that interesting, male-centric as the story often is.
EnglishPatient 24.04.2001 (24.04.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of High Fidelity (DVD)
Advantages: 2 for 1 - Both will be proud additions to your DVD collection Disadvantages: None in my opinion unless they are giving them away for free somewhere.
![High Fidelity [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78529240.jpg "High Fidelity [DVD] [2000]")
Oct 6th, 2002
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