Rating: 
Summary: Always worth another look
Review: I have to admit, the first time I saw this movie, I hated it.Ever since 'Say Anything...,' I have wanted John Cusack to play Lloyd Dobler in every movie he makes. I got my wish in 'Grosse Pointe Blank,' which is exactly what Lloyd would have been if he hadn't gotten on that plane (which is exactly what I wanted to happen, anyway. But that's another story.) This movie [made me mad] because Rob Gordon is not Lloyd Dobler. He's insensitive, obtuse, confused, and prone to bad choices. Then I thought, do I dislike the movie, or the character? So I watched 'High Fidelity' again. And again. And again. Then I read the book, and everything else by Nick Hornby. Needless to say, I love this movie. Don't like Rob all the time, or even all that much, but oh well. Every character in this is flawed and impossible and real. There are no ideal heros (Lloyd!), and I still say I would never go back to Rob (or take anyone back who was like Laura), but that is what makes this movie so good. No one is likable all the time. These characters have years on the teenage idealism of Lloyd and Diane. Different characters are sympathetic at different times, but not one all the way through. I like that. This movie is more complicated than that. Yes, Cusack talks to the screen all the time, but it's a character piece. It's the character we're here for, not a representation of realism or a high concept plot filled movie. And yes, a character piece about a man who doesn't grow or change a whole lot in the course of the film is questionable, but I think Rob grows just enough for the arc to work. An apology for Penny would have been nice, but that's something to take up with Mr. Hornby. We can't have everything. All in all, this movie rocks. Besides, anything with Jack Black (Long Live the D!) is ok in my book. And extra scenes are always a good thing. Thank you to the filmmakers for that. Warning to all like me, fans of Lloyd: Lloyd Dobler is not in this movie anywhere. If you want that, rent the original or 'GPB.' If you go into this movie with those expectations, you will be sorely disappointed. But if you do, remember: this movie, like many others, is always worth another look.
Rating:
Summary: A Date Movie For Guys
Review: The film is honest and hilarious. I've always enjoyed John Cusack's work all the way back to Better Off Dead and One Crazy Summer. There is something always charming about him even when he plays a complete jerk as he does here. I wouldn't say his character, Rob Gordon, is a typical man but he is one type of man. The director, Stephen Frears, shows him warts and all. Cusack's honest performance keeps Rob from being totally unsympathetic. His monologues hit the truth so many times I was actually astounded. Agree or disagree with what he says but you can't deny there is more than a little truth there. While everyone involved does a great job, this film rides completely on John Cusack's performance. It amazes me how many reviews here talk about how much they identify with this film and I'm no exception. I've known record store geeks like Jack Black and Todd Louiso's characters. I've spent nights in bars having the same juvenile conversations on pop culture. I also like the constant references to the Clash as being one of the all time great bands. The way Rob matures through the film is well handled and realistic. There is no blatant attempt to manipulate emotions or any sudden, sappy epiphany. When Rob finally tells his girlfriend he's ready for a real relationship it's a pleasant suprise. Right up to that point you're still not sure he'll do the right thing. I was wowed by this movie and can't say enough good things about it.
Rating: 
Summary: If you wanted to mess me up, you needed to get to me sooner.
Review: This movie is a big mix of things. Drama, humour, tradgy and good story. The main character isn't exactly likable, but he isn't someone to hate either. He is an average guy trying to find meaning in his life and relationships. Overall it is quite enjoyable and has a good rewatch value. Worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: The best laugh about relationships that have gone so wrong!
Review: Just a quickie. This film had me laughing about all that was wrong with relationships...well, at that time. John Cusack in all his unsophisticatedness made me fall in love with him myself. Combine that with the amazing music and those beautiful sets! (I loved his place and the store!) And you have an extremely good film that takes very little thinking about right there and then. Plus, I think we all have a mother like Rob. Put it up there with a "mature"-age 'Almost Famous'.
Rating:
Summary: See This
Review: I laughed. I cried. I got up and walked around the room for ten minutes. Sat down and watched it again. Cusack's basic facial expressions and body language are spot on. It's rare that you see a 'relationship' film and feel a total empathy with a character as flawed as Rob Gordon is. If you put him in a Notting Hill/Four Weddings enviroment he would be the bad guy. You might have guessed that this isn't your usual glitzy Hollywood rubbish with big smiles and a true hero. Chicago alternates between dark and gritty in the present to much brighter memories of girlfriends lost. Suporting cast bring much of the humour but it is Cusack's ability to play a sulking 16 year old, pouting leather jacketed twenty-something and neurotic (fortunately not a la Woody Allen) mid-lifer. I dare any male to say that they have not felt what Gordon feels when they've been dumped. I'm buying this movie. I'm buying this soundtrack (superb). I will even challenge this film by reading the original novel. I will still love this film.
Rating:
Summary: Loyal to the book on level 1, not level 2
Review: Being a big fan of the book, I was eagerly awaiting the movie. I was caressing the DVD cover as I quickly plowed through the book. In watching the DVD, I was absolutely impressed with how very closely the book related to the movie. One who read the book can recite the movie lines before they happen. However, as other reviewers have written, there is something missing. The roles played by Laura and Barry were very well done. John Cusack makes a very disappointing Rob. He plays the role well in actuality, but his narrative to the camera is not at all convincing. Furthermore, we do not get a sense of the evolution of Rob (please read my book review). When one reads the book, the astute reader can see the point of High Fidelity is to allow Rob to mature, get onto the next phase of life. This is only inferred in the movie, while it is overstated in the book. One cannot blame the reason as there is too much information the screenplay writers needed to mirror the book. The all important part in the book (where Rob meets with Laura's friends...Miranda and David maybe?) was crucial as it revealed that Rob had been successful in turning into a mature adult. This was only implied in the movie, and its omission did more harm than good. The whole notion of Rob's relationships being correlated with death was completely abandoned. So four stars for an excellent portrayal of the book (a feat very few movies can do.) Most fans who love the movie will have read the book only on level 1 (the surface level, strictly about his relationships and pop music.) Those who read the book on level 2 about his self-evolution will find this missing from the film. Again, one cannot blame the screenplay writers. With such limited time allowed for content, as well as the hacking by editors (notice the deleted scenes from the movie also being loyal to the book), one needs to lean one way or the others. The screenplayers leaned towards level 1 which is fine if that is your motivation.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine Acting, crumby story
Review: If you enjoy watching a guy whine for two hours about his love life this movie is for you. However, why pay for it? You can go down to the nearest bar and listen to a drunk for free. John Cusack plays a whiney, mad guy who yacks to the camera and does it well. But it is still a bore.
Rating:
Summary: One of Cusack's Best
Review: I loved just about everything this movie had to offer. The film is based on Nick Hornby's 1995 Trans-Atlantic bestseller of the same name. Cusack, the star, producer and co-writer, remains faithful to the source material, even having transplanting Rob and Company from London to Chicago. The joy of the book is Rob's constant inner dialogue and Top Five lists. This sort of prose is normally handled with voice-overs in film. The writers instead choose to break the 4th wall and have Rob address the audience directly ala another Chicago native, Ferris Bueller. This choice works perfectly for me because the intimacy of Hornby's book is maintained. We see that Rob is messed up, but because he is sharing his innermost thoughts frankly with us, we become involved what happens to him. He might be kind of a slacker, but we see that he is a genuinely nice guy who is trying to make things work in his life. The cast of High Fidelity is consistently excellent. Cusack is solid as Rob. He serves as the straight man and center to the other, more colorful characters in the movie. Jack Black creates one of the most memorable supporting roles in recent film as Barry. We have all known someone like Barry at work or at school. He is the guy you can't stand to have around because is constantly talking about things that seems to not make any sense. However, you strangely find yourself missing him when he is not around. Todd Louiso, as Dick, is in Cusack's words in the DVD interview, "...an assassin." Dick is the subtle, reserved yin to Barry's loud, grating yang Stephen Frear's direction of the movie is understatedly well done. It is shot in such a way that watching it feels as if we could be Rob's college buddy, in town for a few days and tagging along through the events in the movie. We all have stayed up late, talking to a trusted friend who is leaving town in the morning. This is the feeling the directing choices convey. The first time I saw this in the theatre, I must admit to being let down. I think this was due to the observational nature of the direction. Nothing explodes; there are no aliens or mummies. This is a movie worth owning. It contains characters that you will become more and more fond of with each viewing. It isn't until the day after seeing the movie for the first or second time that you realize how much of your life that High Fidelity gets exactly right.
Rating: 
Summary: Grown-up Ferris Bueller
Review: If you haven't seen this, don't bother. I expected more, since it is John Cusack, whom I like, but I found it pretty much an adult Ferris Bueller, which doesn't work well. Expecting a comedy - maybe that was my mistake - I was very let down. The 30-something male narrating the story of his failed love life made me wonder if Hollywood is really that hard up for movie ideas. Maybe it was done better in book form, as most are. Most of the music I'd never heard of (seems to be the sub-culture of American pop) and the "story line" was uninteresting psycho-babble. It Definitely wasn't worth the $3 and 2 1/2 hours of my time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book, good movie
Review: If you're already familiar with the book, then none of the plot elements will surprise you. Besides the changes in the locale and the genre of music that the protagonist is most obsessed about, it is actually a very loyal adaptation. Heck, large chunks of the book are recited in verbatim! But the film still didn't sit well with me. I felt that they've softened the protagonist a little too much to make him more palatable to the audience. Most notably, I cite the part when John Cusack offered to put out the single by those skateboard punk rockers. Rob Fleming in the book would've never done that. And I also cite the part after Laura's father's funeral when Laura wanted to have sex in the car to assuage her grief and Rob Gordon didn't make that cruel comment that Rob Fleming in the book did.
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