Wonderful Film About Relationships and Character

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2000)

I knew I was hooked about forty-five minutes into the film when I realized that I was completely engrossed in John Cusack's Rob Gordan. He is easily the most fascinating film character I have seen in a long time. The movie lives and dies by the script and Cusack's performance. Both succeed.
"High Fidelity" isn't really plot or story driven, it is very much an intimate character piece. I doubt most people are familiar with films like it, and it wouldn't surprise me if some people were put off by the lack of story. But fans of intelligent cinema will definitely enjoy this film as an interesting work of character.
The script is well-written, the direction strong, and the Cusack-talking-to-the-camera works helps keep the simple story moving. In a movie so completely about one character what better way to learn about him, than to have him tell us everything about him?
The film is filled with obscure musical and pop culture references, funny sight gags, slapstick, dream sequences, and dialogue. But I really loved the Rob Gordan character. A lot of speeches and thoughts could have sprung from my mouth, or from someone I know. Rob Gordan sure seems like a real person. That's about as high a compliment as I can give "High Fidelity."