A movie about losers with no game

So this is basically a movie for geeks who have struck out with girls. It’s a gamer type of film that lags, with little laughs and absolutely no heart. After ALL the hype I heard about it- its downright depressing.

Let’s start with the big elephant in the room- John Cusack’s character is really unlikable, whiny and comes across like a 12 year old boy when it comes to his job- and relationships with women. Usually Cusack is quite sexy when he’s on screen (The Grifters, 1990) - but here, I just felt sorry for him. No self esteem, no redemption, and no sex appeal. He was a broke and selfish prude.

I just couldn’t get into the story either. I had heard so many great things about the film, and that it was one of the best comedies to come out in 2000. But besides Jack Black, who easily steals the film, High Fidelity is a real letdown. Perhaps I set my expectations too high.

Despite some funny exchanges about records and customers who are too generic to deserve to buy from the store, the story is essentially about a bunch of losers who have nothing going for them besides their unique knowledge of vintage music. No women in their right mind would date someone like Cusack’s character- especially as beautiful as Catherine Zeta Jones and Lisa Bonet. That was a fantasy in its own.

Has anyone seen Empire Records? It came out earlier and I am in the mood to watch films centering around coworkers. Maybe that one will have more life. HF just feels empty and is way too slow. I gave it a try and it just didn’t work.

Final Grade: D