High, high, high! (High Fidelity (DVD))

Member Name: Andyc

Product:	High Fidelity (DVD)
Date:	24/07/00 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: GREAT soundtrack, good cast + acting

Disadvantages: Perhaps mostly a 'man' film? ANOTHER 'American-ised' British story!

I confess, I've not read Nick Hornby's book of the same name, but I wanted to see this anyway!

I have read other Hornby faves, like 'Fever Pitch' and I like his writing style. That said, the film of Fever Pitch was NOTHING like the book! So, forgive me, but I can't make a comparison, to see if this was as unlike the book as the last one.

I have to say I enjoyed High Fidelity. The acting was compelling, the storyline (though a little slow in places) had enough about it to keep you interested and of COURSE the sound-track was SUPERB!

I had the pleasure of going to see this with my girlfriend who didn't share my enjoyment of it though. She didn't hate it, but she didn't like it as much as me. This makes me think that this is a 'Man Movie' as opposed to a 'Chick Flick'. This doesn't really come as a great surprise, as despite the great number of women I see on the Tube reading 'About a Boy' Hornby does write mainly from a male perspective, which is reasonable enough! Said girlfriend couldn't really relate to some of the very male stereo-type plot-lines of organising record collections and the male disaster that is 'communication'!

His characterisation is brilliant, they are SO real. Throughout the film I found myself thinking, "yeah, I used to think that!" and John Cusack carries off the lead-role of 'Rob' with aplomb. His two shop assistants add much needed light relief, to Rob's melancholy as they run off 'All time top 5 lists' of every record from those to play at your funeral to best side 1, track 1's from LP's!

This film isn't a MUST see, but there's not much else on at the moment and it is funny and entertaining and if you get bored, just close your eyes and enjoy the music!

Summary: