High Fidelity (Touchtone, R)
Starring John Cusack, Iben Hjejle and Jack Black
Rating:
Three and one-half stars- A movie that thoroughly entertains, with some cool as Hades music to boot.
Welcome to the church of John Cusack. Pleace grab a piece of pew while we bask in the glow of greatness.
Today's sermon is entitled "High Fidelity," a movie that will exorcise the demons of failed romantic comedies and restore faith in the cinematic form - or at least provide a good time.
The music for our worship runs the musical gamut: some psalms to the songs of Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, De La Soul, Beta Band and even Grand Funk Railroad. But as Cusack's latest movie shows, running the spectrum doesn't necessarily water down a product if care is taken at every turn.
Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, a record store owner with a record store owner life. Every relationship lies within his personal Billboard chart, with the top five heartbreaks painstakingly shown. Each woman inspires commentary from Rob directly into the camera to his paying customer psychiatrists.
The latest troubles, however, dominate his current thoughts like the song that first sticks in your head in the morning. Laura (Iben Hjejle) is in the process of moving out of Rob's apartment, and our first introduction to her makes us immediately despise her. How could you break up with poor John?
To help Rob through his pains are his thousands of records, currently being organized autobiographically (records sorted by when he bought each record and why). The dusty atmosphere can only be matched by his Chicago record store, Championship Vinyl.
There, the music is overshadowed by two hired hands, each of whom was hired to work three days a week - but show up every day anyway. Dick (Todd Louiso) plays the socially challenged music geek - knowing a boatload but troubled in efforts to speak any of the lyrics he listens to. Barry (Jack Black) pronounces his views as the gospel truth, doused with healthy doses of caffeine. Each provides a foil for the other, creating a virtual trifecta of comedic genius with Cusack.
As the latest "worst feeling on earth" rains down upon Rob, he meets a Peter Frampton-covering singer named Marie DeSalle (Lisa Bonet). It's a quick sidestep in his romantic journey. Rob soon realizes, through much self-introspection, that he needs to find out why his heart always feels so sad.
The background characters weave a comical and entertaining background to the stars' foibles. Appearances by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tim Robbins, among surprising others, add up to more cameos than a Woody Allen feature...almost.
But let's look at the largest tree in the enchanted forest. Our near-deity, Cusack, serves his role as the ultimate everyman. Men watch him and think "Geez, he acts and feels just like me." Even in some surreal dream sequences, the absurdity reflects his sometimes pained and very real existence.
This is the natural progression for the former star of "Better Off Dead" and "Say Anything." Even in 2000, the natural romantic aims for the special girl with varying results that are alwys insightful and entertaining.
The natural romance is enhanced with an unobtrusive visual style, with none of the "hazy white halos" created by sugary lighting, at least until a point when they belong. The grime and dirt of Chicago remain intact, like a dog-eared copy of "Abbey Road."
Despite coming off quite abrasive, Hjejle must be disliked by the viewer, because only Rob can tell us his real deal. But as Rob's opinion of her improves, the audience's does as well, like some sort of magic camcorder.
Cusack is nearly, nearly outshined by Mr. Black. With pomposity on natural overload, he represents the high-falutin' attitude that has led many a music geek to exile. The current lead singer for Tenacious D, Black cannot be limited to one of Rob's famous "five greatest" polls; each scene is equally memorable.
Our sermon has come to an abrupt end. If you're in need of more guidance, services are heard roughly every two hours at a local movie theater. Until, I have seen the bright light of "High Fidelity" ... and it was good.
Originally published in the 4/6/00 edition of the Northern Star.
My home, sweet home page
The Northern Star Home Page
The Internet Movie Database
What other critics think - The Rotten Tomatoes Site