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 mix tape of romantic
misery. Rob talks directly into the
camera and counts down his top 5 break ups 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 happen 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.
Their is a real honesty and truth to Rob's character and it shows on
screen. Its 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