Falls Way Short of the Urgency of the Book

Rating: 4/10 (25 April 2003)

Nick Hornby's novel "High Fidelity" was a compulsively readable, daring piece. It combined moments of hilarity with a mindblowing epiphany that completely changes protagonist Rob's life. Sadly, this is all missing in this weak adaptation. John Cusack is convincing for the most part as Rob, but at times comes across as too shrill and obnoxious to ever have been even considered by the women he dates. But this is nothing compared to the series of almost comical miscastings that occur within the film. Iben Hjelje takes on the crucial role of Rob's girlfriend and decimates it with her expressionless monotone. Lisa Bonet, while a fine actress, does not capture the air of grace that folk-singer Marie really should possess. Beside this, the script is generally weak and it truly does lose something in bringing a quisentially British book into an American setting. So is the movie a total loss? Well, no. Jack Black and Todd Luiso are equal parts hilarious and touching in their portrayals of sad sack 30-somethings working at a record store. Their scenes are the only moments of brightness in this dull, dull film.