High Fidelity

Rating: 7/10 (10 August 2007)

If you have seen Alfie (1966), then you'll love this modernised version appealing to the millennial generation, from director Stephen Frears (Mrs. Henderson Presents, The Queen) based on the British novel by Nick Hornby. Golden Globe nominated John Cusack plays Rob Gordon, a thirty-something record store owner who talks to the audience, and must face growing up. He is also a compulsive list maker, and the key one is his top five breakups, including the one he is on now. As he revisits all past girlfriends (memory or practically), and he discovers he built these exes into more than what they really are. He is even surprised he fell for most of them at all, this is especially evident with old college classmate Charlie Nicholson (Catherine Zeta-Jones). As he searches for other past partners to make a closure to that part of life, Rob struggles to get over the recent breakup of Laura (Iben Hjejle), who begins dating his former neighbour Ian 'Ray' Raymond (Tim Robbins), and he worries of them breaking up for good. It is when Laura's father dies, and she invites Rob to the funeral that they share a quick night of passion, and after a talk they try their relationship again. Now comfortable after talking to his old girlfriends the relationship begins in healthy form. The major setting of the film is Rob's failing record store with employees Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black in his breakthrough role, before the even better School of Rock) discussing mix-tapes, constructing top five lists and discussing their opinions on artists and music. This comes into the main story when Rob makes a record label, Top 5 Records (of course), he becomes a DJ, Barry's band (a hint to Tenacious D) plays to promote the label, and in the end Rob begins to make a new mix-tape for Laura. Also starring Lisa Bonet as Marie DeSalle, Joan Cusack (John's sister) as Liz, The Haunting's Lili Taylor as Sarah Kendrew, Joelle Carter as Penny Hardwick and Natasha Gregson Wagner as Caroline Fortis. It was nominated the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay. John Cusack was number 48 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Catherine Zeta-Jones was number 10 on The 50 Greatest British Actresses, and she was number 39 on The 100 Worst Britons. Very good!