A true interpretation of music

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2006)

When figuring out my favorite movie, I went back and forth between the typical Godfather II, Shawshank Redemption, etc. But I landed on this film. Never has another movie spoken such truth about music. In his first line of the movie, John Cusack indirectly defines pop music. Throughout the rest of the movie, we see his character go through highs and lows, all the while being accompanied by some of the greatest songs ever made. From The Velvet Underground to John Lennon to the Kinky Wizards. However, the music is not the only thing that makes this movie great.
This movie presents one of the strongest ensemble casts I have ever seen. The three guys at the music shop played by John Cusack, Jack Black and Todd Louiso. First you've got Cusack who plays the imperfect hero like no one else could. It's hard to make a character like his likable, when he constantly makes mistakes and makes an ass of himself. Cusack comes through. Jack Black stirs everything up from his first appearance in the movie. He combines his one and only Jack Black timing with a real sense of musical snobiness that makes you want to hang out with him yourself. Last but far from least, you have Todd Louiso who can take a normal line and leave you in stitches just with his facial expressions. I've never seen anyone deliver a line like he can. With these three characters creating the backbone, and some great cameos along the way, the cast is far and above perfect.
Watch this movie. It will make you fall in love with music all over again. It will make you drag out the record player and dust off your Dylan vinyl. But most of all it will make you feel. And that's what movies are all about.