Why High Fidelity is an Essential Film

By DrPockets000 May 4, 2010 1 Comments

What makes an "essential" movie?  I count No Country For Old Men as an essential film, simply because the entire thing is so well made.  I can go into that later, for the real reason I'm writing this is to talk about High Fidelity. Perhaps you've heard of it--John Cusack once again plays a sarcastic nobody who you have trouble liking but can't quite hate, either.  He plays Rob Gordon, a record store owner/slacker who, in the opening scene of the movie, is going through a break-up with his girlfriend, Laura.  The first lines are already profound as Rob looks into the camera and asks, "Which came first?  The music or the misery?  Do I listen to pop music because I'm sad or am I sad because I listen to pop music?"  He then assembles a list of the top 5 most painful breakups he has had to endure.  Rob is a huge fan of Top 5 lists. 

It's this list of breakups that makes up a lot of the structure for the film.  Rob thinks he's just a loser whom nobody can stand to be with.  Eventually, he attempts to get in contact with each of the five women on his list.  And he starts to realize things.  One girl wasn't satisfying to him so he broke up with her.  Another was just ridiculously, sickenengly pompous (Catherine Zeta-Jones is notable for her performance here). As Rob is going through these different reunions, mourning his most recent breakup, and harrassing Laura about her new supposed lover, he starts to realize what a jerk he is.  He goes from a "women hate me" state of mind to a much, much humbler viewpoint.  At one point, he sadly explains to us the Top 5 things he misses most about Laura.  Watching his transformation can likewise be very humbling itself.

What really makes the film shine, though, are the brilliant nuggets of deep advice that Rob feeds his viewers.  These are sprinkled evenly through the script, which is actually really good--witty one moment and tender another.  It's a balance not often achieved in movies.  It's also a delightful treat to music fanatics.  Pop culture references and references to songs are generously dispensed, and to boot the songs are almost always applied to the current situation.

Deep talks are the norm for the movie.  Rob discusses how we talk about exes, and indirectly invites us to look back on our pasts and into our own hearts.  Granted, the movie is a lot to digest and will definitely be difficult to watch if you have just come out of a relationship or are feeling lonely.  But I also think that that's a scenario in which a viewer can get the most out of watching it.

I may make it seem like a dismal ride, but the themes of High Fidelity elevate it beyond status as a traditional comedy.  It's a golden commentary on life and love wrapped in the packaging of a raunchy comedy.  When looked at from that different perspective, it becomes an Essential Film. 

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