High Fidelity [Region 2] | ![High Fidelity [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JYRBMHF2L._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Stephen Frears
Actors: John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet
Category: DVD
Buy Used: $9.99
as of 2/10/2010 01:23 EST details
Seller: dvdhq
Rating:  283 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Full Screen, NTSC
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Polish (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Running Time: 113 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 3459379410069
ASIN: B00005AMRE
Theatrical Release Date: March 31, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Transplanted from England to the not-so-mean streets of Chicago, the screen adaptation of Nick Hornby's cult-classic novel High Fidelity emerges unscathed from its Americanization, idiosyncrasies intact, thanks to John Cusack's inimitable charm and a nimble, nifty screenplay (cowritten by Cusack). Early-thirtysomething Rob Gordon (Cusack) is a slacker who owns a vintage record shop, a massive collection of LPs, and innumerable top-five lists in his head. At the opening of the film, Rob recounts directly to the audience his all-time top-five breakups--which doesn't include his recent falling out with his girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle), who has just moved out of their apartment. Thunderstruck and obsessed with Laura's desertion (but loath to admit it), Rob begins a quest to confront the women who instigated the aforementioned top-five breakups to find out just what he did wrong. Low on plot and high on self-discovery, High Fidelity takes a good 30 minutes or so to find its groove (not unlike Cusack's Grosse Pointe Blank), but once it does, it settles into it comfortably and builds a surprisingly touching momentum. Rob is basically a grown-up version of Cusack's character in Say Anything (who was told "Don't be a guy--be a man!"), and if you like Cusack's brand of smart-alecky romanticism, you'll automatically be won over (if you can handle Cusack's almost-nonstop talking to the camera). Still, it's hard not to be moved by Rob's plight. At the beginning of the film he and his coworkers at the record store (played hilariously by Jack Black and Todd Louiso) seem like overgrown boys in their secret clubhouse; by the end, they've grown up considerably, with a clear-eyed view of life. Ably directed by Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons), High Fidelity features a notable supporting cast of the women in Rob's life, including the striking, Danish-born Hjejle, Lisa Bonet as a sultry singer-songwriter, and the triumphant triumvirate of Lili Taylor, Joelle Carter, and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Rob's ex-girlfriends. With brief cameos by Tim Robbins as Laura's new, New Age boyfriend and Bruce Springsteen as himself. --Mark Englehart
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 283
 One-of-a-kind movie!! Classic!! February 7, 2010
Baberufus (West Jordan, UT USA)
I love the style of this movie, where John Cusack tells a story interspersed with watching the story unfold with him. The script is ingenious--witty one-liners right and left (I'm guessing they are phrases taken from the book)! My favorite is "I've been using my gut feeling all my life, and I've finally come to the conclusion that my guts have [...] for brains!" It doesn't get any better than that!
As a music-lover and vintage vinyl collector, I also enjoyed the record shop part of the story, as well, and Jack Black is absolutely hilarious as the offbeat, smart [...] record shop clerk who decides whether or not a customer can purchase a record--lol!
Cusack is just an absolute natural in the starring role, in fact, all the actors in this movie give brilliant performances...highly recommended movie!
In my top 5 romantic comedies of all time January 12, 2010
David Long (NJ)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
DVD Features:
2-Disc Set
Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Behind the Scenes
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Production Interviews:
1. Stephen Frears - Director
2. John Cusack - Star/Screenwriter/Producer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
While this movie might not make my "Top 5 movies", it would be in my "Top 5 romantic comedies" at least be on my "Top 20 movies". Here is a very funny, very sweet romantic comedy told from the man's perspective. Using a myriad of music lovers references, it tells the story of a man whose girlfriend leaves him and leads him to wonder why his past relationships didn't work out.
Rob Gordon (John Cusack) runs a record store where Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black) work. Jack Black plays a zany, funny character as he so often does, while Todd Louiso's character is far more subdued. When Rob's girlfriend Laura leaves him, he comes up with a "top 5" list of break-ups. He goes back to each ex-girlfriend, paying them a visit or simply calling them to find out what the cause of the break-up was. Rob discovers his first chidhood girlfriend ended up marrying the next guy she dated. Meeting with his high school girlfriend, he is reminded that he's the one who initiated the break-up.
At the same time, he continues to be obsessed with Laura, who is now living with an ex-neighbor of theirs. It's clear Rob wants her back and with her repeated visits to his home to retrieve her stuff, it's unclear how sure Laura is about the break-up. We learn the reasons why Laura left him, reasons which make a common friend of theirs (played by John Cusack's sister Joan) very upset with Rob. The question is can Rob mature and win back Laura?
With funny, relate-able characters and witty dialog, this is one of the best romantic comedies I've seen. Being a music lover, I thoroughly enjoyed the various music references and themes, not to mention the songs included in the soundtrack topped off with Jack Black's version of "Let's Get It On". Lisa Bonet even has a rather small part playing a singer who does a beautiful cover of "Baby, I Love Your Way". I highly recommend this movie to music fans who enjoy romantic comedies.
Hi Fidelity January 9, 2010
H. M. Wolk (Pennsylvania)
An excellent modern romance with the record store in the background. Fantastic supporting cast. A movie to watch over and over.
High Sex Skills November 1, 2009
Michael Kerjman (The Earth)
A young strong unforgettable sex-partner has no problem in finding play-mate female but maintaining a steady relationship is out of possibility for a 26-year-old architect-turned-music-shop-owner keeping his options open.
Hi, do you have the song "I Just Called To Say I Love You?" It's for my daughter's birthday June 30, 2009
C. CRADDOCK (Bakersfield)
John Cusack is handsome, but in a strange way. As a leading man, he remains an Everyman, or even an Underdog. In fact, the perfect role for him would have been Jughead Jones if they ever made a live-action version of Archie. But the next best role for John Cusack would have to be Rob Gordon, record store owner, the role he plays in High Fidelity. It is next to perfect for him.
A break up with his girl friend Laura causes him to re-evaluate his whole life, and since he is accustomed to making lists, of his top five favorite records, for instance, he makes a list of his top five break ups, and tries to track them all down and ask them each what went wrong.
He is semi-cool, but as he looks down on his customers, record geeks with a vinyl fetish, mostly young men - who spend all their time looking for deleted Smith singles and original, not re-released - underlined - Frank Zappa albums, he admits that, well, he is one of them.
Tearing down the fourth wall, he speaks directly to the camera, and lets you in on how men really think about women and life in general. He exposes all of his fears, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, he is compiling lists of his top five break ups, his top five favorite songs, and his top five dream careers. It sounds like it would be dreary, like being stuck at a non-alcoholic cocktail party with insufferable bores talking endlessly about their stamp collections, but it is great, it is funny, and it is insightful; because I know this guy. I am this guy. I make his lists. I love this movie. High Fidelity is on my list of the top five films of all time.
If I was hired to work in his record store part time, I would show up every day, just like Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black).
Though based on a book by Englishman Nick Hornby, the story was moved to Chicago, and all the cultural reference points were adjusted accordingly by screen writer D.V. DeVincentis. It is amazing how astute he is. He either venerates or abhors said cultural reference points, with laser-like accuracy.
Jack Black is an incredible comedian with precise comedic timing. In High Fidelity he is in top form, playing over the top, admittedly, but as long as the director (Stephen Frears) doesn't exceed the recommended dosage -- and he doesn't -- Black is perfect. Black is the new black. Todd Louiso as the shy Dick also scores highly in the humor department, but his is the understated humor of a Buster Keaton.
Iben Hjejle as Laura does a great job. Some other reviewers complained about her fake sounding American accent, but I didn't notice that, even after it was pointed out. I think she did a splendid job. She may be Danish, but she ain't no cheese danish. She was by turns funny, angry, sexy, supportive, despondent -- whatever the scene called for, she delivered.
John Cusack really carried the whole movie, but he was ably supported at every turn by the excellent cast. Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, and Sara Gilbert, along with all the rest, really made High Fidelity an excellent example of cinematic art. Jokes, epiphanies, cultural reference points, and astute observations were thrown at Cusack and the ensemble, but they juggled all the flaming chainsaws with aplomb, imperturbable self-possession, and panache. High Fidelity can be watched again and again. Each time you watch you will discover new jokes, new juxtapositions, and new nuances to enjoy. I cannot recommend High Fidelity highly enough. If I could give it up to ten stars, I would give it eleven.
---------------
Customer: Do you have Soul?
Rob: That all depends.
==========================
THE TOP 5 JOHN CUSACK FILMS BESIDES HIGH FIDELITY
1. Being John Malkovich (1999) .... John Cusack was Craig Schwartz
2. Bob Roberts (1992) .... Tim Robbins was Bob Roberts, Jack Black was Roger Davis, and John Cusack was Cutting Edge Host
3. The Grifters (1990) .... John Cusack was Roy Dillon
4. Say Anything (1989) .... John Cusack was Lloyd Dobler, Joan Cusack was Constance Dobler, and Lili Taylor was Corey Flood
5. Sixteen Candles (1984) .... Joan Cusack was Geek Girl #1 and John Cusack was Bryce
THE TOP 5 FILMS OF OTHER HIGH FIDELITY CAST MEMBERS
1. Snakes on a Plane (Widescreen New Line Platinum Series) (2006) .... Todd Louiso was Dr. Steven Price
2. School of Rock (Widescreen Edition) (2003) .... Jack Black was Dewey Finn and Joan Cusack was Rosalie Mullins
3. The Cable Guy (Full Screen) (1996) .... Jack Black was Rick
4. Dogfight (1991) .... Lili Taylor was Rose
5. Angel Heart (1987) .... Lisa Bonet was Epiphany Proudfoot
THE TOP 5 CULTURAL REFERENCE POINTS IN HIGH FIDELITY
1. Barry: [Imitating Cosby] A Cosssssssby sweater. Did Laura let you leave the house like that? (The Cosby Show (1984-1992) [Lisa Bonet, who plays Marie De Salle, played Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show]
2. Rob Gordon's girlfriend is named Laura, so they are Rob and Laura like Rob and Laura Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)
3. When Rob is talking to Marie De Salle in the bar they find they both liked "The Prisoner" (1967) starring and co-created by Patrick McGoohan
4. Barry and Dick say that "You Can't Always Get What You Want" must be disqualified from one of their Top 5 lists because it was used in "The Big Chill" (1983)
5. When Rob, Dick, and Barry are watching Marie de Salle sing Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" and they all admit that they used to hate the song, but enthralled by Marie's version, now they kinda like it
THE TOP 5 LINES IN HIGH FIDELITY
1. Barry's Customer: Hi, do you have the song "I Just Called To Say I Love You?" It's for my daughter's birthday.
2. Dick: Marie de Salle's playing. You remember I told you about her. I like her. She's kind of Sheryl Crow-ish crossed with a post-Partridge Family pre-L.A. Law Susan Dey kind of thing, but, you know, uh, black.
3. Barry: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was classified information. I mean, I know we don't have any customers, but I thought that was a bad thing, not like, a business strategy [smacks Rob]
4. Rob Gordon: Hey, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm certainly not the dumbest. I mean, I've read books like "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" and "Love in the Time of Cholera", and I think I've understood them. They're about girls, right? Just kidding. But I have to say my all-time favorite book is Johnny Cash's autobiography "Cash" by Johnny Cash.
5. Rob: No. I only have a few left, I've been saving them for later.
-----------------------------------
Vince: What's the name of your label?
Rob: Top Five Records.
============================================
THE TOP 5 SONGS FROM HIGH FIDELITY
1. "Let's Get It On"
Written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend
Performed by Jack Black
2. "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)"
Written by Stevie Wonder and Yvonne Wright
Performed by Stevie Wonder
Courtesy of Motown Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
3. "My Little Red Book"
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Love
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
4. "Walking On Sunshine"
Written by Kimberley Rew
Performed by Katrina & The Waves (as Katrina and The Waves)
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
5. "Robbin's Nest"
Written by Illinois Jacquet and Sir Charles Thompson
Performed by Illinois Jacquet
Courtesy of Blue Note Records
Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
-------------------
Rob: Songs at my funeral: "Many Rivers to Cross" by Jimmy Cliff, "Angel" by Aretha Franklin, and I've always had this fantasy that some beautiful, tearful woman would insist on "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" by Gladys Knight. But who would that woman be?
==================================================
Showing reviews 1-5 of 283
|
|
|
