Rating: 
Summary: Wow Great DVD
Review: I never saw High Fidelity until 3 weeks ago, I rented it, saw it, loved it, bought it. I then casually watched it twice since.. The thing is, I usually watch a movie once and put it in my collection to gather dust!This is an amazing movie, with REPLAY value. You could watch it over and over, and the jokes are funny each time. A DVD should be bought if it has those qualities! And High Fidelity has those qualities! Bravo to Stephen Frears for such a great movie.. This DVD though was so close to being 4 stars (Although the film is great), the beginnning shows 3 real bad movie commercials. In 30 years, if I put on High Fidelity for some reason, I will not want to see the Duece Bigalo, Male Gigalo previews. Some people can't avoid this mess and have to watch it for 20 minutes.. Argh. Guy
Rating: 
Summary: Failed to convince myself it's good.
Review: Never a fan of magablockbusters I was very much predisposed to like that film and prepared myself for nearly 2 hours of good-natured entertaining tale about a charming big city misfits. But... The information that the movie is a remake of something British helped me to sort it off. Vaguely boring charm of the USA's former rulers was to be transplanted to the American soil. I had the feeling not dissimilar to the one I have reading GQ's US and British editions consequently. In American issue you read about something almost worldchanging - like NASDAQ crash - while a British magazine regals you with the excessively illustrated story of a pale girl from Manchester who had made it at the national level and now is proclaimed the Miss Fish'n'Chips-2000. The sweet little story of the record store owner and his friends'n'lovers is intended to be cute and John Cussak does his best to keep the film afloat but I could not help wondering - How is it humanly possible to seat for two hours constrained by the cinema's chair feeling just a vague sympathy for the guy and - let's be frank about that - wishing the movie to end faster than your watch tells you it will. I have a suspicion that despite the recent trend to encourage all things warm and human as the antidote for the mindless and hollow mega-budget productions you need a great measure of self-convincing to tell yourselves you've really liked that film. Of course that's only my opinion but I've felt exactly that way. Being British production could've given High Fidelity a bigger credit in viewer's interest - we are used to that provincial eccentricity and the fumblings of these grownup children are usually endearing and funny but as an American production the film looks just mildly irritating. It's a sweet little thing but the films auditorium should ideally consist of the cast & crew's friends,relatives & neighbors. I just have to repeat that's only my humble opinion and I would not be surprised if there are some viewers that see that movie as something much more inspiring, entertaining and wholesome.
Rating: 
Summary: "Name the top five, ALL TIME--"
Review: A man suddenly closer to middle age than to the carefree frivolous years of youth begins to understand the consequences of non-commitment in terms of his relationships with women, in "High Fidelity," directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack. When his girlfriend, Laura (Iben Hjejle), leaves him for the guy upstairs in their apartment building, Rob Gordon (Cusack) begins to take stock of his life by reflecting upon the "top five break-ups" he's suffered over the years, seeking answers to the seeming pattern of rejection that has plagued him since Junior High School. As he does so, it establishes a thread that runs throughout the film through which some insight into Rob's (as well as some of the others) character is gleaned: "Top five" lists that reference music (Rob owns a specialty record store, specializing in "vinyl") based on category and sub-category, with his "break-ups" and finally "top five jobs," framing the story. Set in Chicago, with Rob's store in a neighborhood not especially conducive to "walk-in" trade, Frears sets a mood and atmosphere that conveys the freedom of a rock n' roll lifestyle and evokes the yearnings of youth on the threshold of discovering reality. Though Rob personifies an entire generation that has "been to the mountain," only to be faced with coming back down again, Frears takes something of a lighthearted approach to Rob's angst, with a brisk pace and by infusing enough subtle humor (though somewhat dark at times) into the proceedings to keep it lively and entertaining. There's a gritty, down-to-earth feel to the film, along with a sense of time and place with which anyone in the audience will be able to relate on a personal level, for this is the kind of territory, in one way or another, that most people have traversed; a vicarious route to self-discovery, if you will. John Cusack is perfectly cast as Rob, carrying his cloud of burden with wry, almost self-deprecating amusement. His naturally outgoing persona is just right for illuminating Rob's introspective thoughts, which he shares with the viewer by speaking directly into the camera, and it works exceptionally well, for it conveys a sense of being privy to a most intimate confidence. And Cusack lends something of a Nicolas Cage "hang-dog" look to Rob, which gives him a quirky, likable appeal. Hjejle gives a notable performance as well, as the woman in Rob's life who at last precipitates his life altering musings. The supporting cast includes Jack Black, who turns in an exuberant, memorable performance as Barry, one of Rob's employees with aspirations of becoming a rock star; and Todd Louiso, as Dick, Rob's other employee, whose stark contrast in personality to Barry makes him equally as memorable. Rounding out the supporting players are Lisa Bonet (Marie DeSalle), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Charlie), Joan Cusack (Liz), Tim Robbins (Ian), Lili Taylor (Sarah) and Natasha Gregson Wagner (Caroline). Cleverly written (screenplay by D.V. DeVincentis from the book by Nick Hornby) and well presented, "High Fidelity" succinctly captures a specific culture and a lifestyle of ambivalence invested with obsessions and eccentricities (Rob, for example, sorts his personal record collection "autobiographically"). It's an entertaining, funny and sometimes insightful look at life as we know it; a good story with plenty of music, some laughs, and engaging performances, which make this film more than worth seeing, especially for fans of John Cusack, and for anyone who wants some insight into the influence popular music has indeed made upon the world in which we live.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of 2000.
Review: There's a scene in HIGH FIDELITY that's so truthful and so real it's embarrassing to watch. Rob stands in front of Charlie's house in the pouring rain. She has just broken up with him. He screams at the top of his lungs "Charlie, you f****** B****!!! Let's talk about it!!!". Oh boy. That is sad. You see, Rob Gordon (a thirty-something vinyl record store owner, played with equal parts charm and annoyance by John Cusack) is a failure when it comes to relationships. Every relationship he gets into falls apart. And he is constantly the victim... at least in his own mind. Rob is the type of guy who is never happy with a girl, never really wants them, until he can't have them anymore. When Charlie (played by Catherine Zeta-Jones) asks him out and they start a relationship together, Rob's thoughts aren't ever 'man, she's beautiful - I'm such a lucky guy'. His thoughts are 'man, she's beautiful - what the heck is she doing with me?' In it's examination of the thought process of the terminally pessimistic, HIGH FIDELITY is dead-on. I'd encourage any man who has ever felt truly screwed over by a woman to see this movie. You just might learn something. What Rob cannot get through his head is why so many women have dumped him. He has compiled a list of his top five breakups (he makes top 5 lists for EVERYTHING) and decides to see these women again in an attempt to find out why they dumped him - completely oblivious to the fact that sometimes it isn't the guy's fault and sometimes it just happens that way. It's a stream-of-consciousness movie, with Rob often breaking out of character to talk directly to the screen, and we follow him through a current breakup with Laura (played with great sensitivity by newcomer Iben Hjejle) and through his day-today misadventures at his record store. The other examination made in the film is that of obsessive music fans (you know, the ones who endlessly debate and fight over whether or not the real title of the record is "THE Dark Side Of The Moon" or just "Dark Side Of The Moon - believe me, I work in a record store and this type of person really exists). But the object of this obsession doesn't really matter. It could be film, books, comics, television - it's just something these characters use to feel more elite then the casual fan. It's an ego-boost. The clerks at Rob's store are the outspoken, snobbish Barry (played with extreme energy and hilarity by the wonderful Jack Black) and the quietly opinionated Dick (played with shy charm by Todd Louiso) and the scene inside the store are easily the best in the film. One wishes the camera stayed in there more often. This film could have easily been another CLERKS and I for one would have been more then happy. But the film has other plans and other points to make and it handles itself with sincerity, wit, charm, and honesty. It is a great film, punctuated by some great cameos (by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tim Robbins, and Harold Ramis) and amazingly assured and utterly truthful writing. Director Stephen Frears handles the films gritty look with ease and Cusack's performance is top-notch. It's a film where you might not know what the record store guys are talking about (but you really wish you did) but everything else - all the painful relationship revelations - ring true.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious to all aging gen-x music nerds like me
Review: This movie is priceless for the musical references alone. I have never before actually heard an actor mention Sigue-Sigue Sputnik or Massive Attack on screen, and it was shockingly nostalgic and funny. Plus the comparison of Echo and the Bunnymen to The Jesus and Mary Chain...... Anyhow, even beyond the references that occur at Dennis Miller speed, the performances are funny as well. The two misfit clerks are just about perfect, as well as polar opposites that play off each other. the only reason for a four rather than a five is that the book my Nick Hornby is one of my favorites. Althought the movie is reasonably true to the book, the location in Chicago instead or London takes a small piece away from the flow of the story. For some reason it seemed more believable in London. Regardless, this movie is still miles ahead of most of the schlock released in theaters in the last year or two.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and accurate look at the male music nerd
Review: I'm a little prejudiced since I'm an obsessive rock fan from Chicago, too, but I really enjoyed this film a lot. It's fun to watch, well-acted, and often hilarious. John Cusack gives a typically great performance but the supporting cast is outstanding, too, especially Tim Robbins and Jack Black. I loved the last film Cusack made with these producer/screenwriters, "Grosse Pointe Blank", even more than this one but this is a very entertaining look at the typical rock nerd that shows the funny, likable, and sometimes annoying qulaities he brings to relationships.
Rating: 
Summary: High Fidelity
Review: I will have to agree with the people who didn't like this movie. I saw this movie because I usually enjoy John Cusack's movies. This was certainly not one of them. I can say with much enthusiasm that I hated this movie. It was a pathetic attempt at entertainment and I would never watch it again. I've heard the book is even worse and I wonder how that can be possible. I just wish John Cusack hadn't done this movie. But oh well, everyone makes mistakes. I would not recommend this movie to anyone, not even someone I didn't like. of course you dont need to listen to me, find out for yourself, since everyone has a different opinion. Have fun :)
Rating:
Summary: Boneless, pointless
Review: I was very disappointed by this movie, which seemed to go on forever, following John Cusack's character around a very Londony Chicago. This movie is what happens when you fillet out the theme of the book it's inspired on (see Nick Hornby) -- the theme of diehards and sellouts, always a darling of the indie music scene. Instead, this movie drags you through the Cusack character's romantic life, where he seems to learn nothing, and he doesn't change -- he's the same person at the end that he was at the beginning. The female characters are largely ciphers for Cusack, and one particular female character is forced (by a bolt from the blue by the 4 screenwriters, one of whom is Cusack himself!) into pulling a 180-degree turn. The moment it happened, I felt bad for the character (Laura), and the actress who played her, for being stuck in such a reactive, derivative role. I found myself imagining that Cusack's character had gone insane, and the last 75% of the movie was mere hallucination; that made it more entertaining than the onscreen wish-fulfillment that went on. There are a couple of amusing moments, but the story rings so false, it's amazing to me that it got good reviews. I think they should have ditched the romantic story, period, and stuck with the record store setting, which (along with the musical references) is only window dressing in the current incarnation. Tim Robbins is woefully underused, too -- again, the writers' aversion to challenging the protagonist ensured that Robbins was doomed from the start. The only nice thing about the movie are the shots of Chicago, which look great, even though I found myself laughing at the El train scenes, since they're apparently riding westbound on northbound/southbound trains. Too funny.
Rating:
Summary: Mediocrity
Review: This is not a great movie. It's barely a good movie, but I'm naturally inclined to cut it some slack since I'm about the same age as the thirty-something lead character, and I'm about as equally baffled and dazed when it comes to relationships. That said, John Cusack's whispered dialogue with the audience does become rather irritating, and the story's denouement is lame and uninspired. But the movie is witty, occasionally thought-provoking, and definitely worth a look on a slow evening...
Rating: 
Summary: Eminently forgettable
Review: I fail to understand the high praise lavished upon this film. Roger Ebert named it one of the ten best films of the year, which is why I saw it, but I was thoroughly disappointed. The story revolves around John Cusack, a used-record store manager, who has just broken up with his latest girlfriend. Unfortunately for him, the girl he has just broken up with is the only one of his women he has truly been in love with, and this causes him an extra-special discomfort. Thus, he takes us, the viewers, on a grand tour of the women in his life. The scenes shift from past to present effortlessly, and by the end of it we learn that John is a complete loser and a total mongrel. Many, many audiences have found this revelation to be the reason they liked John's character even more, but to me, the movie ended at this point. How, pray tell me, can you respect a man who borrows money from his girlfriend, breaks up with her, and then orders her to have an abortion? What kind of vile audience would accept such an anti-hero? The answer to that, is thousands. While 'High Fidelity' is by no means a good film, it plays with audiences who are irretrievably immoral by finally giving them a character just as vapid, self-indulgent and egocentric as themselves. This is not a movie about music - it's a movie about how one should never admit one is wrong, and continue blaming the other person till Kingdom come. With such wonderful lessons at hand, I cannot but help feeling sorry for the professional reviewers who called this film a 'masterpiece'. While the film does somewhat redeem itself by making John Cusack 'take back' his girlfriend in the end, its also a playground for a more commercially viable ensemble cast, headed by Catherine Zeta Jones and Lisa Bonet as two of John's 'conquests'. One wonders how a character as boring and sloppy as he would even manage to find such interesting women. One could say 'charm', but John Cusack has none of that. Sadly, though, it's the ensemble cast that manages to string this pathetic movie along. The Director's motive seem to be easily visible. Throw in a lead that audiences can readily relate to, pile in a heap of old rock-and-roll songs, and add on a few lovely women and presto! You have a movie that most people would most probably want to see. Naturally, there are those who found beauty and fun in 'High Fidelity'. I did not. It is a base, soulless film masquerading as a 'rockumentary'. I got this on DVD, and while the extra features are commendable - a whole horde of deleted scenes, and its easy to see why they were deleted - and promo trailers make the DVD a fine package, I wouldn't really recommend buying this unless you saw the film and actually liked it. Look out for a thoroughly unnecessary appearance by Bruce Springsteen, by the way. Wonder how much they paid him. Highly disappointing.
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