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MOVIE REVIEWS
by D A SHEFFIELD~GREGORY
"HIGH FIDELITY"
{2000}
DOG STAR FILMS NEW CRIME PRODUCTIONS BUENA VISTA PICTURES TOUCHSTONE PICTURES
SCREENPLAY BY: (WGA) NICK HORNBY (NOVEL), D.V. DEVICENTIS, STEVE PINK, JOHN CUSACK & SCOTT ROSENBERG DIRECTED BY: STEPHEN FREARS RUNNING TIME: 113 MINUTES
Who among us who've ever been in love, wanted to be in love, or been wronged by love, can say that they couldn't chart that emotional journey through tunes. Of course we can all answer yes we could and have, even if it was only subconsciously. You hear 'your song' and are instantly transported (for good or for bad) to the time in question. That's the charmingly executed premise of "High Fidelity".
Well intentioned ne'er do well and record shop owner "Rob" (John Cusack), is trying to figure out why he's been dumped AGAIN! This time his break-up is with "Laura" (Iben Hjejle), a sweet 'Danish pastry' who's a successful lawyer. "Rob" has all the signs of heartache: can't sleep, can't focus, and is obsessed with finding out why the current love of his life is immune to his charms. They had been perfectly matched---when/where did it all go wrong?
Since music is an integral part of his life (aside from owning a record shop he has quite an impressive home catalog) he theorizes if he can chart his current as well as his prior break-ups through song, he can remedy his current situation and not repeat his past mistakes.
Tim Robbins as "Ian", "Laura's" new love interest is hysterically funny. Think Yanni and Werner Earhart morphed into one man. Lili Taylor is sweet and sincere as a former girlfriend that "Rob" in his quest for answers dreads seeing again (but he's better off for it). Catherine Zeta-Jones implausibly is cast as "Rob's" romantic interest prior to having met "Laura". Lisa Bonet (an actress we need to see in more films) is an up and coming recording artist (think Tracey Chapman crossed with Fiona Apple), who's desirous of "Rob", but he's not ready for her despite encouragement from his buddies/employees.
The novel "High Fidelity", on which the film is based, has been described as a cult hit. I have not read it but the movie does not give the feeling that it doesn't do it's literary counterpart justice.