Technological progress and new cultural trends can make certain films look hopelessly dated or hard to comprehend only after a single generation. This might await younger viewers if they encounter High Fidelity, 2000 romantic drama directed by Stephen Frears.
The film is based on eponymous debut novel by popular British writer Nick Hornby. The plot setting was changed from London in the literary source into Chicago. Protagonist, played by John Cusack, is Rob Gordon, young man who makes his living as an owner of Championship Vynil, small musical records store. He and his two clerks – overtalkative Barry Judd (played by Jack Black) and shy Dick (played by Todd Louiso) – barely makes enough money for Rob not having to take welfare checks. His bad financial state is, however, less of concern than more personal issues. He has recently broken up with girlfriend Laura (played by Iben Hjejle) and that makes his revaluate his life, including past romantic relationships, each of them ending disastrously.
Most of today’s generation form their musical tastes on Internet and gather music collections on various mobile devices, but the idea of the film about someone selling the music through such impractical media like vynil records, cassettes or CDs was quite sound in late 20th Century. Hornby, who would later prove himself as an accomplished screenwriter, provided very good literary source. And even the transfer of setting to America (in order to make film more successful of US market) wasn’t bad per se. John Cusack, who plays protagonist, was not only enthusiastic fan of the novel, but he also produced film. Stephen Frears, director known for his very diverse filmography, should have elevated the film over the cliches of Hollywood’s romantic dramas and comedies, genres that High Fidelity belonged to. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Frears not only failed to establish proper connection between protagonist’s business and romantic life, but also failed to use what was supposed to be film’s most valuable asset – pop music as a series of references and song lyrics as a way to comment on the character and the plot. High Fidelity actually doesn’t have much of a plot and represents the slow character study, which is at times sprinkled with humorous observations (with protagonist breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience). Cusack as neurotic protagonist is very good, but one of the great discoveries is Iben Hjejle, Danish actress who previously had very good role in Mifune’s Last Song. She handles her role very well and has good chemistry with Cusack. Supporting actors are disappointing, including Todd Louiso and rock musician Jack Black in one of her first major performances. Even more disappointing are Catherine Zeta-Jones and US independent cinema icon Lili Taylor in the roles of protagonist’s past girlfriends – both look more like Hollywood stereotypes than play multi-dimensional characters. Disappointment is going to be even greater for those viewers who watch it on DVD and see deleted scenes that could have made High Fidelity much better. The film nevertheless won good reviews and had modest box office success. In 2020 remake came in the form of short-lived TV series with protagonist being a woman played by Zoe Kravitz.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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