HIGH FIDELITY --***1/2 -- John Cusack, Iben Hjelje, Jack Black, Todd Louiso, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins, Lili Taylor; rated R (profanity, sex, violence, nudity, vulgarity); Century Theatres 16; Cinemark Jordan Landing Theaters; Loews Cineplex Broadway Centre Cinemas; MegaPlex 17 at Jordan Commons.
So what if the movie version of "High Fidelity" isn't quite as good as its source material?To be truthful, there was little chance of that happening, no matter who made the film or who starred in it.
In fact, given the singular point of view of Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, its adherents should probably be glad that the movie is as faithful as it is.
Despite the fact that it changes the time period and locale (exchanging early '90s London for current-day Chicago), this so-truthful-it-hurts comedy comes as close to getting the spirit and character of the book right as any recent printed-page-to-celluloid conversion.
It also makes a strong case that co-producer, co-writer and star John Cusack may be the Generation X version of Jimmy Stewart. Cusack is a vastly underrated comic everyman who makes almost everything he's in better, simply by his presence.
"High Fidelity" offers Cusack one of his best big-screen roles to date, that of self-involved slacker Rob Gordon.
Much of the film is made up of Rob's monologues, as the thirtysomething record-store owner watches his life fall apart.
He's bored with his close-to-failing business, and worse, his longtime girlfriend Laura (Danish actress Iben Hjelje) has just left him. Of course, when she departs, it gives Rob an opportunity to obsess about his previous breakups -- something of a dubious treat, since he and his employees Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Louiso) are fond of making Top 5 lists of favorite songs, television shows and personal matters.
Rob's dark funk looks like it might end when musician Marie DeSalle (Lisa Bonet) takes an interest in him. But their brief fling ends as quickly as it started, and it's back to brooding -- especially when he finds out that Laura has taken up with his former neighbor (Tim Robbins).
It may sound all too familiar, and even a bit cliched, but as with the novel, the material (written seamlessly by two screenwriting teams, including those responsible for "Grosse Point Black") is treated so honestly and with such wit that it actually seems refreshing and new.
In addition to Cusack, who somehow makes Rob personable despite his self-important stances, perhaps the wisest choice in terms of personnel was bringing in director Stephen Frears, who directed Cusack in "The Grifters." He brings with him a certain dry British style that's entirely appropriate, considering the source material.
Frears also gets great performances from his cast, which includes Black, newcomer Hjelje and the actresses playing Rob's former girlfriends (including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lili Taylor).
"High Fidelity" is rated R for profanity, simulated sex, violence (done for laughs), partial female nudity and glimpses of nude artwork and photos, as well as use of some crude gestures. Running time: 114 minutes.