Decidedly endearing (seek out the flop musical which followed! It's even better!!)

Rating: 7/10 (20 December 2006)

For all the apparent (if modest) success which greeted the release of this film adaptation of Nick Hornby's well remembered British novel about the owner of a second hand record store and his trouble with women and life (some might say "growing up"), it was a 14 performance (ie. commercially failed) Broadway musical (December 7-17, 2006) by respected playwright David Lindsay-Abaire with composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Amanda Green (daughter of Adolph) which first brought me to the movie to explore how the adaptation had been done.
The movie proved droll and endearing and captured most of the best lines and situations which later highlighted the more focused stage piece. Even better, the DVD release fleshed out several of the characters through the always welcome "deleted scenes" bonuses and very interesting interviews with film director Stephen Frears.
While the movie moves the action from author Hornby's more atmospheric London to Chicago (presumed Middle-America appeal? The later musical would further relocate the action to Brooklyn), the essence of the characters is international: the "slacker" who is satisfied with his life and doesn't want to change a thing, the friends who both want him to and (even when they don't want to) are changing their own lives around him and the fast dying world of the passionate record (LP) collector (but you could substitute ANY collection and the story would be as valid).
Ultimately, we see him find that he must change to truly remain the same, and if the details (not to be revealed here) are mildly mundane, they are also believable and well acted. Other authors (BILLY LIAR) have taken the story in other directions - the hero refuses to change when led to the brink and falling back, but they were ultimately tragedies. This is a life affirming comedy. A happy story that wants to make us feel "grownup" and largely succeeds.
I've never been a real John (or Joan) Cusack fan, but both are at their peak form here. (Joan is the old friend who is a good enough friend to call John every name in the book and embarrass him in front of a new friend or client when she discovers he's done something to his girlfriend, Iben Hjejle, which already makes him feel as guilty as possible). They are joined by a well chosen supporting cast.
Jack Black is quietly perfect as the wanna-be rock-star record clerk who is infuriatingly "pure" in his tastes. Lisa Bonet and Sara Gilbert are essentially thrown away in parts almost too small to be remembered.
The old stage technique of having the lead break the "fourth wall" and speak directly to the audience (ala Jerry Orbach in the stage PROMISES, PROMISES or Matthew Broderick in the FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF movie) is perfect for this story which could just as well have been an entirely interior monologue in Cussack's head illustrated by scenes from his memory. The feel is refreshing and comfortable.
If ultimately I found myself preferring the later musical which flopped (for any number of reasons - not enough people identifying with LP collectors, poor direction, no identifiable stars and ticket prices ranging from $41 to $111) it is largely because those authors sharpened the story and made it flow even better than the multiple screenwriters (including Cusack) and director Frears had in the motion picture and the later piece added a fine original score with excellent first time lyrics from Green. As of this writing the score has been recorded for release by Sh-k-boom (Ghostlight) Records in May, 2007, so fans of the movie might want to further explore this later incarnation.
Those who have not yet enjoyed the movie shouldn't expect a high powered knock-about roller coaster of hilarity. This is a low powered, intimate charmer with real humor which will ultimately warm your heart. How it merited an "R" rating is anyone's guess - I'm sure Frears thought it would help business with late teens. It's worth risking a couple hours (114 minutes) of your time no matter what your age.