High Fidelity

I just watched this movie for the second time, and wow, I am absolutely floored! I’m such a sucker for films where you can actually see yourself in the characters—where you can really step into their shoes and see the world through their eyes. This one was such a profound lesson for me, too. It shows how he spent his whole life since he was fourteen dreaming about this idealized version of perfection, totally lost in the clouds. But then he starts questioning things and realizes that wasn't real love, because with those girls, there were never any actual struggles to face together. He finally understands that true love is being with the person you argue with and work through the messy stuff with, because that's what reality is. I especially loved how he proposed—it was so spontaneous, almost like he didn't even have to think about it; the words just flowed out because it was so natural. There is something so beautiful about being with someone who truly hears you and understands you. Also, that scene in the car when they were getting intimate after Laura lost her dad... I really felt like he truly understood her in that moment. He realized she didn't want to sit around grieving; she just wanted to forget everything for a little while. And honestly, I love it when he gets frustrated and just lets it all out—sometimes you just need that! I could also sense his deep desire to prove that his past breakups weren't his fault, but just fate, because life doesn't always go according to plan.
The guys working at the shop are great, too. Like how Dick was always so shy, and then that moment where he shuts down that annoying Ian who kept meddling with Laura.
Finally, a movie where people actually have the same taste in music as I do!
I loved his "top 5" list of jobs, even though he eventually realizes he's just selling records. And his top 5 breakups? Number five was some girl he basically checked off the list just so he'd have room for Laura in his life. 🙂
The vibe reminds me a lot of Almost Famous. You can really feel that rush of adrenaline and what it's like to be on stage.
John Cusack is absolutely perfect for this role. One of his exes is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is stunning, but the movie does such a great job showing that she's actually pretty hollow on the inside. All in all, it's amazing!
P.S. You really need to be prepared for this one. (I had just finished watching another movie and stumbled upon this one without thinking much about it, so I ended up lying in bed afterward just processing everything and letting all the pieces fall into place).

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I actually happen to be reading the book right now—it's fantastic! 👍
Once I finish it, I'm planning to watch the film!
I just hope I don't go in with too many expectations and end up disappointed!

I'm right there with you!..🙂
I'm actually in the middle of reading that book myself and honestly, it's great...) Hornby has this really interesting take on music and how it relates to being in a "bad" mood...😁
Once I finish, I'll have to dive into the movie just so I can compare the two experiences..

The book is absolutely incredible, whereas the movie is a bit underwhelming—though still worth a watch, mostly because of his shop assistants... and those perpetually confused expressions of his...

👍
Since I haven't actually read the book (maybe that would have skewed my perception of the movie?

I recommend checking out this soundtrack; there are actually some gems on here. It hits hard when Jack Black yells, "Let's get it on!" or during that other part, "Can somebody see what this life has done to me." Most of the tracks were recorded using sixties-style techniques, keeping the vocals on one channel and the instruments on the other.

I’m a huge fan of John Cusack—that alone was enough to make me love this movie. Seriously, it was great. And the soundtrack? Absolutely killer. 🙂
Honestly, whoever came up with that localized title should be publicly shamed... "High Fidelity Dream Shop!" 🙄

I was just reading the book, and honestly, that was years ago; I haven't actually sat down to watch the movie because I really don't want to ruin the experience of the book for myself.

The book is set in New York City, whereas the film takes place in the US 👎 👎 👎

I think I’d warmly recommend this little masterpiece to anyone who (especially) isn't a big fan of "Hollywood" movies, and also to people who really care about music—not just as some background soundtrack, but as a collection of those super iconic classics.

It’ll be airing on TV, over on CBS, this Saturday, March 13th, around 10 PM.

I’m hoping other movie buffs might find it worth checking out too. 🙂

Henry Anderson47 said:It was on TV, over on CBS (I think it was their main channel), this Saturday, March 6th, around 10 PM.

😕 Was he actually on TV?

It’s honestly hilarious when some guy walks into a record store and asks if they have Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" as a gift for his daughter, only for Black to absolutely lose it on him... just snapping because he feels like his precious time is being wasted. He tells the guy he can go find that crap at a department store instead. And then he drops the kicker: "And how do you even know she'd want to listen to that? Is she in a coma or something?" 😁 😁 😁

Updated on March 13th.

It airs at exactly 10:25 PM on NPR.

Maybe I can't give a fair judgment since I read the book first. Honestly, the movie didn't really land for me. It feels a bit too Hollywood—not entirely, but just a little too sugary sweet.
The soundtrack is great, and the movie has its moments. It’s not a total disaster, but nothing special either—it's just watchable.
To me, About a Boy seems like a better adaptation of Hornby's work (though maybe that's just because I haven't read the book this time)

If you aren't watching the movie through the lens of the book, then maybe you won't be quite as blown away.

The book is just so incredibly good that it's hard not to be affected by it, but we're talking about two completely different, I guess, mediums here.

Henry Anderson47 said:If you aren't watching the movie through the lens of the book, then it just doesn't hit as hard.

The book is honestly so good that it leaves an impression, but we're talking about two completely different—let's say—mediums here.

That’s true. Especially for this one.

But when it comes to a more—how should I put it?—intelligent film (and I mean the direction, the camera work, etc., not the plot), like Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange or something by Béla Tarr, I don't mind having read the book at all. In fact, I actually enjoy seeing what was written. It's like reading what you watched.
I think it's all about the atmosphere that those specific movies share with their source material.
Because that exact same feeling—that vibe—can be conveyed through a book, a painting, a movie, or even music.

They definitely could have made a better movie.

I actually watched the movie first, then picked up the book way later on.

My initial take was that the film was just great. I guess maybe part of that is because of the soundtrack—I'm such a music freak—since you can't exactly hear the songs when you're reading a book.😁

Hands down my favorite movie. I love Happy End... honestly, it’s probably exactly how I want things to turn out in my own life—but man, what a fantastic film! Nick Hornby is just brilliant!

Absolute top-tier cinema right here... 👍 honestly kind of reminds me a bit of Dim...

Look, it's a decent movie. Cusack is cute—maybe a little over the top—but honestly, I had a much better time reading the book. For me, About a Boy is a far more successful, superior, and charming adaptation of Hornby's work. I really don't dig the fact that they moved the setting to the USA, especially since Hornby's writing and sense of humor are so distinctly British... but whatever, the movie is refreshing and likable. The soundtrack is 👍 👍

I ended up rewatching it again last night. Honestly, my memory of seeing it in theaters back when it first came out was a little fuzzy...

Am I the only one who can clearly feel the chemistry between him and Laura?

I was totally into the first third, but man, that second half just didn't hit the mark for me. I was expecting a total masterpiece! Now I really need to read a book now that's been sitting on my shelf. Hopefully it isn't too heavy 🙄 😁