Collections Search | BFI | British Film Institute

High Fidelity (Original title)
Dates: 2000 (Copyright), April 1999 (Production), 21 July 2000 (Release)

Countries: USA, United Kingdom

Director: Stephen Frears

Synopsis: Comedy drama. Rob Gordon is a man in his 'thirties who is obsessed with pop and rock music, to the exclusion of most other things. When his long-time girlfriend, Laura, decides to leave, Rob tries to take stock of his life. An obsessive list maker, Rob spends most of his time, along with fellow employees at his Championship Vinyl record store, compiling top five lists of songs and singers. However, when Rob finds himself putting together a list of his five more memorable split-ups, he is forced to recall his lost loves, and begins to realise it is about time he grew up.Synopsis: Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, follows the mid-life crisis of a thirty-something record store owner, obsessed with pop and rock music, who has to take stock of his life when his latest long-term girlfriend leaves.

Genres:
Comedy, Drama

Subjects:
Relationships, Music
Credits (104)
[originally set to direct]: Mike Newell, ©/Presented by: Touchstone Pictures, Production Company: Working Title Films, In association with: Dogstar Films, New Crime Productions, Author: Top Five Productions, Executive Producer: Mike Newell, Executive Producer: Alan Greenspan, Executive Producer: Liza Chasin, Producer: Tim Bevan, Producer: Rudd Simmons, Co-producer: John Cusack, Co-producer: D.V. Devincentis, Co-producer: Steve Pink, Working Title Executive i/c Production: Jane Frazer, Unit Production Manager: Billy Higgins, Production Co-ordinator: Anne Johns, Working Title Company Co-ordinator: Nina Khoshaba, Assistant Production Co-ordinator: Margaret J. Orlando, New Crime Co-ordinator: Grace Loh, Production Accountant: Joan Altman, Location Manager: Demetra Diamantopoulos, Post-production (Supervisor): Tania Windsor Blunden, Post-production (Consultant): Steeple Post Production Services Ltd, Production Consultant: Dan Koretsky, Assistant Director (1st): Jeffrey Wetzel, Assistant Director (2nd): Aiman Humaideh, Assistant Director (2nd 2nd): Anne Berger, Script Supervisor: Chiemi Karasawa, Casting: Victoria Thomas, Casting (Associate): Kim Coleman, Wendy Weidman, Casting (Chicago): Claire Simon, Casting (Atmosphere): Joan Philo, Casting (ADR Voice): Brendan Donnison, Lyps Inc, Written by: D.V. De Vincentis, Written by [&]: Steve Pink, John Cusack, Written by [and]: Scott Rosenberg, Based upon the book by: Nick Hornby, Director of Photography: Seamus McGarvey, Camera Operator: William J. Nielson Jr, Digital Visual Effects: Double Negative, Special Effects (Co-ordinator): Sam Barkan, Special Effects (Foreman): Don Rio Mcnichols, Graphic Designer: Derrick Kardos, Editor: Mick Audsley, Assistant Editor: Mags Arnold, Production Designer: David Chapman, Production Designer: Thérèse Deprez, Art Director: Nicholas Lundy, Set Decorator: Larry P. Lundy, Property Master: Timothy W. Tiedje, Costume Designer: Laura Cunningham Bauer, Assistant Costume Designer: Margaret Morettini, Costume Supervisor: Jennifer Jobst, Make-up (Key): Jeanne van Phue, Make-up/Hair Design (Iben Hjejle): Naomi Donne, Hair (Key): Laura Connolly, Title Sequences Designed by: Richard Morrison, Fig Productions, Titles Producer: Dena Johnson, Titles Sequence Digital Effects by: Digital Film at The Moving Picture Company, Film Opticals The: The Magic Camera Company, Colour Timer: John Stanborough, Original Music Composed by: Howard Shore, Score Conducted/Arranged by: Howard Shore, Music Supervisor: Kathy Nelson, Music Supervisor: John Cusack, Music Supervisor: D.V. Devincentis, Music Supervisor: Steve Pink, Music Co-ordinator: Doug Dearth, Supervising Music Editor: Mike Higham, Music Editor: Shari Schwartz Johanson, Music Editor: Joe Lisanti, Supervising Production Music Engineer: Joseph Magee, Pre-recorded Music Recorded at: Electric Audio Studios, Pre-record Engineer: Robert Fernandez, Rick Norman, Score Recorded at: Clinton Recording Studios (New York City), Score Engineer: Ed Rak, Gareth Jones, Sound Mixer: Petur Hliddal, [Sound]: Curt Frisk, Boom Operator: Carl Fischer, Utility Sound: Jeffrey A. Williams, Re-recording Mixer: Adrian Rhodes, Assistant Re-recording Mixer: Howard Bargroff, Re-recorded at: De Lane Lea Studios, Supervising Sound Editor: Peter Joly, Dialogue Editor: Danny Longhurst, Foley Artist: Diane Greaves, Foley Artist: Jason Swanscott, Foley Artist: Claire Mahoney, Foley Mixer: Ted Swanscott, Foley Mixer: Terry Isted, Foley Editor: Mike Redfern, Stunt Co-ordinator: Rick Lefevour, Stunt Double (Tim Robbins): Thomas Coe, Stunt Double (John Cusack): Chris Nolte, Soundtrack Available on: Hollywood Records, Dialect Coach: Susan Hegarty
Cast (51)
John Cusack (Rob Gordon), Iben Hjejle (Laura), Todd Louiso (Dick), Jack Black (Barry), Lisa Bonet (Marie De Salle), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Charlie), Joan Cusack (Liz), Tim Robbins (Ian), Chris Rehmann (Vince), Ben Carr (Justin), Lili Taylor (Sarah), Joelle Carter (Penny), Natasha Gregson Wagner (Caroline), Shannon Stillo (Alison Jr. High), Drake Bell (Rob Jr. High), Laura Whyte (Laura's mom), Sara Gilbert (Anaugh Moss), Rich Talarico (Barry's customer), Matt O'Neill (Beta Band customer), Brian Powell (middle-aged customer), Margaret Travolta (Rob's mom), Jill Peterson (Laura's sister Jo), Dick Cusack (minister), Susan Yoo (19 year old girl), Chris Bauer (Paul), K.K. Dodds (Miranda), Marilyn Dodds Frank (Alison's mom), Duke Doyle (Kevin Bannister), Aaron Himelstein (boy in park), Jonathan Herrington (Chris Thompson), Daniel Lee Smith (rock guy), Leah Gale, David Darlow (mourner), Erik Gundersen (Marco), Bruce Springsteen (himself), Alex Désert (Louis), Alan S. Johnson (man in store), Ian Belknap, Andrew Micheli, Polly Noonan, Philip Rayburn Smith, Michele Graff, Susie Cusack (party guest), Liam Hayes (piano player), Damian Rogers (Green Day girl), Robert A. Villanueva (skateboarder), Joe Spaulding (flea market musician), Scott A. Martin (bartender), Heather Norris (Laura's friend), Beverly D'Angelo ([Too Tan woman]), Harold Ramis ([originally cast])
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (30)
In: Empire n231 September 2008  Pages: 113-123
Title: 10 years of DVDAuthor: CROOK, Simon, DE SEMLYEN, Nick Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Special feature celebrating the impact of the DVD over the past ten years. Includes top tens for: 'making of' extras, alternative versions, Easter eggs, biggest DVD heroes, deleted scenes, top sellers and films most wanted on DVD.

In: Music, Sound, and the Moving Image v2 n1 Spring 2008  Pages: 51-76
Title: As if history was merely a record: the pathology of nostal..Author: ANDERSON, Tim J. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...gia and the figure of the recording in contemporary po- pular cinema".Explores how a group of recent films deal with individuals' potentially negative relationships with pieces of recorded music.

In: Adaptation v1 n1 2008  Pages: 63-77
Title: Adaptation studies at a crossroadsAuthor: LEITCH, Thomas Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Looks at the state of adaptation studies in contemporary culture, with reference to BRIDGET JONES, HIGH FIDELITY and Akira Kurosawa.

In: Sight and Sound v16 n11 November 2006  Page: 6
Title: The numbers: The royal mintAuthor: GANT, Charles Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: A brief analysis of the UK box-office performance of The QUE EN on its first week. Table shows gross takings of Stephen F rears' films at the UK box-office sine 1988.

In: Film Ireland n87 Jul/Aug 2002  Pages: 20-22
Title: High definitionArticle type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Seamus McGarvey on his work in HIGH FIDELITY, The HOURS, BUTTERFLY KISS, shooting pop promos, exploring the new digital technologies, and his personal wish list.

In: Creative Screenwriting v8 n1 Jan/Feb 2001  Pages: 40-46
Title: Behind the music of High FidelityAuthor: KHOURY, George Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with screenwriters D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, and John Cusack who talk about how they work together, referring to their adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel HIGH FIDELITY.

In: Creative Screenwriting v8 n1 Jan/Feb 2001  Page: 42,44,46
Title: High FidelityAuthor: ROSS, Tony Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Review of the screenplay for HIGH FIDELITY written by D.V.DeVincentis, Steve Pink, John Cusack and Scott Rosenberg

In: Empire n140 February 2001  Page: 110
Title: Remote control: video to rentAuthor: MORRIS, Gina Article type: Video ReviewLanguage: English

In: Film Review vSpec. n34 Year book 2001  Page: 73
Title: High fidelityAuthor: HICKMAN, Clayton Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Cinéaste v26 n1 December 2000  Pages: 50-52
Title: [Cinéaste - v26 n1 December 2000: no known title]Author: DOHERTY, Thomas Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Reviewed together with ALMOST FAMOUS.

In: Cinema Scope n4 Summer 2000  Pages: 18-21
Title: Feature: Strange magic: The Evolution of the Pop-Music...Author: DELLIO, Phil Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Soundtrack from American Graffiti to The Virgin Suicides".

In: Sight and Sound v10 n6 June 2000  Pages: 18-21
Title: O lucky manAuthor: MACCABE, Colin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: An examination of Stephen Frears' directorial style, with reference to HIGH FIDELITY.

In: Empire n131 May 2000  Page: 38
Title: Future filmsArticle type: PreviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n133 July 2000  Page: 75
Title: Summer preview 2000Author: KENNEDY, Colin Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: John Cusack, the co-writer and star of HIGH FIDELITY talks about adapting Nick Hornby's book.

In: Entertainment Weekly n534 7 Apr 2000  Pages: 101-102
Title: Aural reportsAuthor: SINCLAIR, Tom Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of the soundtrack of HIGH FIDELITY and AMERICAN PSYCHO.

In: Empire n134 August 2000  Page: 139
Title: SoundtracksAuthor: [NJ] Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Soundtrack review.

In: Empire n134 August 2000  Page: 52
Title: New filmsAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Premiere v14 n2 October 2000  Page: 87
Title: High fidelityAuthor: C.K. Article type: Video ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n134 August 2000  Pages: 72-79
Title: John Cusack is God - sorry, goodAuthor: DEEVOY, Adrian Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with John Cusack who talks about his role as Rob Gordon in HIGH FIDELITY, and about his own taste in music.

In: Screen International n1253 7 Apr 2000  Page: 24
Title: High FidelityAuthor: GOODRIDGE, Mike Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Télérama n2643 9 Sep 2000  Page: 90
Title: High FidelityAuthor: FERENCZI, Aurélien Article type: ReviewLanguage: French

In: Variety 20 Mar 2000  Page: 26, 33
Title: FILM REVIEWSAuthor: LEYDON, Joe Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Film Review n596 August 2000  Pages: 84-87
Title: Stylus ChallengeAuthor: BRETT, Anwar Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: John Cusack talks about HIGH FIDELITY: identifying with the character, transferring the story from London to Chicago, and pop music. He also talks about being famous and celeb- rity culture.

In: Entertainment Weekly n526 18 Feb 2000  Page: 44
Title: The A listAuthor: SVETKEY, Benjamin Article type: PreviewLanguage: English

In: Entertainment Weekly n533 31 Mar 2000  Pages: 36-37
Title: Disc connectedAuthor: GLEIBERMAN, Owen Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Cinema Scope n3 Spring 2000  Pages: 78-79
Title: Currency: Spin City: High FidelityAuthor: LUSCOMBE, James Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v10 n8 August 2000  Pages: 36-37,47-48
Title: The main attraction: reviewsAuthor: MEDHURST, Andy Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Screen International n1204sic 23 Apr 1999  Page: 20
Title: INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: The Hollywood Reporter v357 n43 18 May 1999  Page: 24
Title: IN PRODUCTIONAuthor: FUSON, Brian Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Empire n74 August 1995  Page: 16
Title: Front desk in production: now shootingArticle type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: English


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (3)
Title: Breaking the fourth wall: direct address in the cinema
Author: BROWN, Tom  Pages: xvi, 188 pages

Title: Studying British cinema: the 1990s
Author: DYJA, Eddie  Pages: 295 pages

Title: High fidelity
Author: CUSACK, John  Pages: ix-xiii,170p.