High Fidelity (2000)

John Cusack Film Fest Movie #3

Synopsis: Self-pitying hipster recites endless series of Top Five lists.

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “John Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, the owner of a semi-failing record store located on one of the back streets of Chicago. He sells music the old-fashioned way, on vinyl, with his two wacky clerks – the hysterically funny rock snob Barry (Jack Black) and the more quietly opinionated underachiever Dick (Todd Louiso). But Rob’s business isn’t he only thing in his life that’s floundering – his needle skips the love groove when his longtime girlfriend Laura (newcomer Iben Hjejle) walks out on him.”

What Did I Learn?: 1) Apparently, a record store can stay afloat by selling rare Smiths albums and original Frank Zappa recordings. 2) Nobody wants to hear Katrina and the Waves during a breakup.

You Might Like This Movie If: You’ll watch anything that combines small business with High-Fidelity sound.

Really?: I don’t know of too many businesses that survive by refusing to sell merchandise to un-cool customers.

Rating: High Fidelity is a smart, funny, brilliantly-written and well-acted character-driven drama about an entrepreneur who reflects upon his checkered love life. While I like the relationship stuff, the film’s best moments feature Cusack shooting the shit with his employees about music, good and bad. Highly recommended. 10/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146882/