Good Cusack

Rating: 8/10 (29 July 2000)

Excellent adaption of Nick Hornby's novel where Cusack plays Rob Gordon a second hand record store owner who recalls his past loves as his present one is leaving while also assessing his whole life in general. If your a John Cusack fan great pleasure is provided by the flashback sequences where Rob recalls his Top Five break ups. We see Cusack in 80's garb and matching hairdo bringing back memories of his early teen classics such as "The Sure Thing" and "Say Anything". However if your a fan you may also be disappointed that Cusack keeps on returning to this persona and doesn't try to concentrate on becoming a "star" for want of a better word, just look at his performances in "The Grifters" and "City Hall" and you may know what I mean. Anyway back to this movie, Rob's co-workers played by Jack Black and Todd Louiso are great especially Louiso who is so geeky but at the same time very funny and likeable. The women (even though their roles are largely secondary) are great especially Iben Hjejle and Lisa Bonet and Frears direction is assured and Cusack is Cusack, and no one does it better.