A Quirky, Delightful Film

Rating: 9/10 (30 September 2001)

Rob Gordon (John Cusack)owns a Chicago vintage record store. His spectacular self-absorption is moderated by his charm. He is verbal, boy is he verbal. He has a top five list for everything he has ever seen, heard, or done (songs, movies, and, oh yeah, girl friends with whom he has broken up). This odd but appealing film has a large and tremendously appealing cast, from Cusack himself to the two music nerds who work in his record store (Todd Louiso and Jack Black), to his girlfriends and ex girlfriends, too numerous to identify here. The movie's best features are its funny surprises and believable characters. It is clear that it is based on a Nick Hornby novel. It is endlessly inventive and its many loopy characters are true to life to a degree rarely rarely encountered in film. Highly recommended (9 out of 10).