In a movie filled with top five lists, perhaps the most revealing among them is the list of fantasy jobs. For many thirtysomething men, owning a vinyl record store that is loaded with cool, find it here or nowhere albums might well make the list.
Rob Gordon (John Cusack) owns such a record store in Chicago. His two co-workers are Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Louiso). Barry is obnoxious and bullying, but entertainingly so. Dick is a gentle, wimpy skinhead; the kind that you would expect to try to sell you flowers at an airport.
Like his two employees, Rob seems to have heard every pop, soul, ska, punk, or rock song ever put on a record. But Rob's true obsession is for women. He keeps failing at relationships, and doesn't understand why. Could it possibly be the poverty, verbal abuse, and cheating?
As Rob shares his 'all time top five heartbreak list' with the camera, we meet his present and past girlfriends. Laura (Danish actress Iben Hjejle) seems completely normal, at least until she wants wet and muddy Rob to 'take her mind' off of a funeral. It does seem like Laura and Rob will get back together again, even if she is seeing pony-tailed, pop psychotherapist Ian (Tim Robbins).
And Rob is keeping busy as well, hitting on slinky folk singer DeSalle (Lisa Bonet), shallow socialite ex Charlie (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and promising hottie Caroline (Natasha Gregson Wagner). In fact, Rob has a past or present relationship with most every woman in the cast, except for "Roseanne" survivor Sara Gilbert, and Cusack's own sister Joan. (Father Dick, and sister Susie also have cameos.)
It may be difficult to work up sympathy for Rob's angst, but his various relationships (along with his running comentary on same) is entertaining. The script is very good. Three of the four writers (D.V. Devincentis, Steve Pink, and some fellow named John Cusack) had previously collaborated on Grosse Point Blank.
If you've seen the movie, you probably have two questions. Was that really Jack Black singing? Yes, the soundtrack CD credits him as the vocalist. And was that really Bruce Springsteen? Yes, but he really needs to learn to knock before entering a room.
Audiophiles may enjoy all of the film's props and 'in' jokes. Some of the albums displayed in Rob's vinyl store would be the holy grail for some obsessive record hunters. On the other hand, if you don't recognize that Stevie Wonder may have sold out with his sappy hit 'I Just Called to Say I Love You', then that entire page of script may be lost on you. (71/100)
DVDS. A man discovers that there's more to love than a good mixed tape in this dramatic {\comedy} about music and relationships. {%Rob} ({$John Cusack...More at DeepDiscount.com
A male-perspective confessional about being an adult--but not acting like one--HIGH FIDELITY is the story of Rob Gordon John Cusack the thirtysomethin...More at Family Video
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