3/9/2015
After watching the previously reviewed "Say Anything" you must follow that up with the 2000 film "High Fidelity". Another John Cusack classic that's heavy on great music. It's next to impossible not to like this movie. It was directed by Stephen Frears and based on the book by Nick Hornby. It co-stars Jack Black, Tim Robbins, and Lili Taylor among others.
Cusack plays regular guy Rob Gordon who owns a record store called Championship Vinyl were he works with the crazy off the wall Barry, obviously played by Jack Black. Barry is obnoxious and rude to customers but has a deep love for music and his friends. Then there is the quiet and meek Dick, who looks like a cross between Michael Stipe and Moby. It doesn't seem that Rob has changed much over the years and things are sort of at an impasse. He is having one of those "What does it all mean?" things.
The story is structured as a sort of mixtape of romantic misery. Rob talks directly into the camera and counts down his top 5 breakups of all time all while currently in the middle of another one. His apartment is wall to wall records where he sits and wallows among the stacks upon stacks of vinyl. He admits to being cursed in love and is determined to find out why. "My guts have shit for brains".
His current soon to be ex-girlfriend Laura says she has outgrown him and moves out. Later we find out that she has shacked up with there upstairs neighbor Ian (Robbins), a new age hipster douche bag. Rob is full of typical male insecurities and when problems come his way he is usually reluctant to do anything about it, but now he is determined to track down the top 5 women who broke his heart and find out what really happens and if he really is cursed. He has the support of his sister Liz, who is John Cusack's real-life sister Joan. We also get some more top 5 lists and a short-lived fling with a beautiful musician played by Lisa Bonet. Rob regains his self-confidence and realizes that he wants Laura back, but is it too late. This calls for the ultimate mix tape. There are real honesty and truth to Rob's character and it shows on screen. It's a fun movie to watch so don't let the words romantic comedy get in the way.
In the spirit of Rob here are my Top 5 movies starring John Cusack
1. Say Anything
2. High Fidelity
3. Being John Malkovich
4. 1408
5. Identity