High Fidelity

Adapted from Nick Hornby’s best selling novel, High Fidelity is shifted from London to the Chicago music scene of the late 1990’s. The principle character and storyteller, played by John Cusack, owns a music store and despite the struggling state of his business he remains a fervent music lover. After being dumped by his girlfriend he takes the viewers through his most painful top 5 breakups, all the while obsessing about his most recent ex and trying to win her back. The adapted screenplay is really sharp and funny, and offers an interesting take on the nature of relationships, mainly from a male point of view, and the influence of music. There are lots of pop culture and music references that guys and gals of my generation can relate to, so if you are music fan of a certain niche then there is a good chance that this is the film for you. John Cusack brings his trademark quirkiness and charm to his role and although his character can be often selfish and neurotic you can’t help liking and rooting for him. There is a strong supporting cast, with Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins and Jack Black, with Black’s zany and energetic performance surely a precursor to his role in School Of Rock. The film flows along at a nice pace, aided by a great soundtrack. High Fidelity is both a sophisticated romantic comedy and a homage to music that keeps the viewer constantly engaged and entertained. 8/10