Oh great! They've got me down pat

Rating: Null/10 (27 January 2003)

Rob is the owner of a small record store who spends his time arguing over record lists with his two hapless employees. When his relationship hits a bad patch and breaks up, lending Rob to re-examine his life through his top five break-ups while trying to salvage what he can and start his adult life.
`They're setting a Nick Hornby book in America!?'. How would Fever Pitch have played out if it had been based around American Football and not the Arsenal? Happily there is one thing different with this book  and that's the fact that the book is about me  it's about men. And this subject is the same in the UK and the US. As a result the film is as good as the book because the character and the situation is so very real. Rob's life may not be a copy of everyone's details but the basic character is so recognisable. A guy who lists everything, is a geek for detail and screws up relationship because he isn't ready to grow up.
If you can recognise yourself then you'll love this movie. I saw myself and the film meant more to me as a result. Despite this it is very funny and yet quite touching. Rob's to-camera delivery works very well and really helps get into the film with minimum work. It may be a film (hence we have the constant soundtrack and the gorgeous girls that we don't have) but the meaning is the same.
Cusack became one of my favourite working actors with this film even if some of his stuff is mixed. Here he is the typical man and it's a role he carries without overdoing any of it or without mocking himself. Black and Louiso are the comedy duo who overdo it to great effect. They are lesser characters but really help the film. The `girlfriends' are all excellent and a mix of faces  Hjejle is good while Jones, Taylor, Gilbert etc are very funny. Oh, and Bonet is `oh my God' sexy
Overall this is a great film if you can relate to the central character. If you can't then you might enjoy the comedy and the story but you won't take as much from it. I hated Rob because his petty listing and bickering reminded me of myself but it was a good ride nonetheless. Funny and insightful  all men should watch it rather than arguing over the top five movies which feature male flaws.