StarCarlyHigh Fidelity (2000)
Directed by Stephen Frears; Written by DeVincentis, Cusack, Pink & Rosenberg
High Fidelity. Alright, so here we go. The pressure is on. My BFF pal StarCarly's all time favorite movie. I saw it once before, back in Freshman year when I did not know anything. I kind of remembered it, but nothing specific. Did that mean I was not the biggest fan of it? I cannot rightly recollect. Without ever watching it, let me just point out some things about the film.
1. John Cusack, Jack Black: Ebert has been quoted as saying Cusack has never made a bad film, and I love Jack Black.
2. Dude owns a used record store: I love music, and people that love music. I need to get myself a turntable.
3. Love, and the creation of a Top 5 list: I like both of these things. A lot.
4. Mix tapes: I love making mix tapes too!
5. Tim Robbins, Catherine Zeta-Jones: Tim Robbins can be in every movie I see and I'd be happy and Cathy is sexy.
So there was my Top 5 reasons to like this film going into. Without ever having seen it. So what is the film actually about. Well, you guessed it. It is about a Chicago used record store owner (John Cusack) and his trials and tribulations with love, most notably with Laura (Iben Hjejle). That is it. That is the plot. There are some minor things here and there he must deal with, but that is the heart and soul of the film. And that is why it is so great. So why is it all time great? Well let me explain.
I remember back when I saw
Amelie for the first time. I was amazed. Stunned even. I was blown away by the performance of Audrey Tautou, but more, I was blown away by the fantastic characterization. Here it is the same thing. We get to know these people so well. It is all in the little things. Like how Laura rubs her feet together an equal amount of times when she cannot sleep at night. Or how Rob rearranges his record collection autobiographically. Or what kinds of songs would make these guys Top 5 lists. It is amazing. The film also hits perfectly on so many little moments throughout. Most of them are a look by an actor or a touch or a feel here or there, but they are massively effective and ultimately heartbreaking at times.
I guess my only qualm with the film is that I wish it were more stylized and put to music even better than it already was. The style was fine, but I found it too be too conventional with a story like this. I wanted something that would catch my eye as well as stimulate my mind. I know that is a small quibble, but I can see this film being even better than it already is. But look. I loved the film. And more, I can see this being something that just increases in sentimentality and nostalgia the more and more I see it. I cannot say at this time that it holds any place in my heart, but I enjoyed a great viewing experience. To commemorate the film, here is my Top 5 reasons why I liked it:
1. Jack Black: His style is so madly hilarious, I don't care what anyone else says. His spin moves are top notch.
2. Tim Robbins is literally one of my all time heroes.
3. John Cusack plays to the camera so well. 4th wall can be awkward sometimes, but he pulls it off.
4. Joan Cusack is totally great at playing John's sister!
5. Top 5 lists totally rock!
****Next Up: Princess Mononoke? Sure, why not.