In a nut shell: Liked it.

Rating: Null/10 (13 April 2000)

In a nut shell: Liked it. If you're any kind of fan of Cusack, you'll love it. If you're any kind of fan of "Chicago" flicks, go see this movie, it's going to be a classic Chicago flick.
Long form review: I loved the book. LOVED IT. So I was a bit disappointed that they'd changed locations from London to Chicago. There were some other changes -- about one really big change and quite a few not so -- but it did capture the feel of the book. There were holes, however.
Cusack was great, in both his interactions with the other actors and his forth-wall breaking 'chats' with the audience. It worked because he understood the character almost too well. I had a difficult time laughing most of the time because the movie reminded me that I've been a great big a*****e over the last year (okay, my whole life), but it is amazingly funny.
Todd Louiso and Jack Black were intensely amusing and reminded me of people I know, which is what their characters did in the book. Black's turn as Barry was offensive yet somehow still likable, not an easy thing to do.
My real bitch is the soundtrack, the one that everybody seems to love so much. It is good, but it's the one change from the book that I can't leave alone. There just wasn't enough soul and classic r&b and don't get me started on the meager inclusion of a mere single Elvis Costello song... I think the soundtrack was updated for a younger, much 'hipper' audience, but it really took something away from my enjoyment of the film.
But that's just my problem. All in all this was a great film, a real 'instant classic'. I just wish that it had been a more complete adaptation.