User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Negative: 3 out of 36

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  1. BlancoA.
    Feb 1, 2001
    10
    This was my favorite movie of 2000 (with "Almost Famous" as a close second). Jack Black is incredible in this film, and John Cusack is his typical brilliant self.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. PicoP.
    Jun 1, 2001
    10
    A brilliant movie, perfectly casted, scripted, and acted.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AlecD.
    Feb 3, 2004
    10
    It deserves every point John Cusack is incredible and the movie itself is hillarious and appeals to any man who has ever been in a relationship.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. LawrenceP.
    May 24, 2004
    10
    To John Cusack, Stop doing movie's like America's Sweethearts...Keep up the good work.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. JoãoS.
    Oct 15, 2001
    10
    Great movie, great story, great top 10 lists.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. EscapeFromThePlanetOfTheMulroneycakes
    Nov 29, 2002
    10
    What a great movie. He may have moved the book from London to Chicago (to Nick Hornby and the Range's chagrin), but it doesn't matter because the film doesn't dwell on it - it's filmed in the city, sure, but no-one mentions the place. It could have been filmed anywhere. Which is probably the point; an everyman, living in an everycity, leading an everylife. Cusack is fab - who'd have thought you could do cinematic soliloquy so well? - and of course Jack Black can sing! All fat blokes can sing! Brilliant cameos by Ted Robbins and Zeta (why doesn't she ever get to play anyone Welsh?), wonderul soundtrack, great script, perfectly understated direction from Stephen Frears...I love this movie. But how the hell do you pronounce Iben Hjelje? Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. JackB.
    Jul 17, 2002
    10
    Yo good movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. YoonMinC.
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    A refreshingly candid and reflective movie about a man growing into manhood. There's something about Western culture where men remain boys well into their 30s, fixating on their teen hangups memorialized thru endless listening to songs that awakened and defined their sexuality. While most movies lampoon or celebrate this facet of life, High Fidelity takes a long, hard look at its crippling--as well as its therapeutic--effects; but, not without humor(Jack Black is especially great)and without the easy sermonizing of neocon virtuecrats. For those like myself who belong to Cusack's generation, we may find much of ourselves--aspirations, frustrations, self-deceptions, justifications--in his long monologues. In its hunger for truth and its coming to terms with the facts of life, it's nothing less than beautiful. A comparable movie would be Truffaut's Love on the Run. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. JessicaA.
    Nov 8, 2004
    3
    From a female's perspective who had read the book before the movie, I did not enjoy it at all. The beginning is very slow, and didn't catch my attention. Who wants to know about another pathetic PIG of a man, or should i say CHILD? Women get enough of this immaturity from real men, we don't need to hear about someone else. I do have to say that the end helped me understand men a little better but I still thought it was poor. Maybe it's because the only thing Rob (the narrator) talks about is Music and how it relates to his pathetic life. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. PatC.
    Jan 7, 2004
    10
    Damn. Look at all these 10's. I'd like to intelligently point out some glaring flaw you all missed, but the whole thing rang true moment to moment. Non-critics who chart the the progress of their lives non-verbally will instantly recognize the pitfalls and rewards of maintaining the soundtrack of one's life.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. Flat23
    May 29, 2004
    10
    This is definitely one of THE greatest and funniest and bestest films of all times...i am glad most people here agree with the 10 point vote, as anything else would be WRONG.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. RichardG
    Oct 26, 2006
    0
    The worst movie I’ve ever seen with the single most annoying character ever created. It seemed like your average boring Cusack movie in the first few minutes but once the bald sensitive guy with the musical taste of every failure I’ve ever known came in, I nearly lost it. If you can relate to any of the three main characters in this movie you have bigger problems than being a fan of High Fidelity. Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  13. JoeA.
    Dec 24, 2001
    10
    When Black starts to sing, it's icing on a cake that satisfies on every level. The movie covers the waterfront describing relationships.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. Clint
    Aug 26, 2002
    10
    Great like a movie is great but the book is better, although much of what made the book so good couldn't be scripted into the movie too well. john cusack-definately in my top five actors.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. HaroldD.
    Nov 7, 2006
    1
    Watching this movie was like a 90 minute glimpse into hell. I hear "You mean you don't have Blonde on Blonde??" twenty times a day at work, I don't feel like hearing it on screen. Even worse is it's coming out of Jack Black's mouth. This movie is for hipster's only. If you have any kind of intelligence or self-respect rent something else.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. MichaelS.
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    Surprisingly enjoyable. He makes a very interesting narrator and keeps you interested in this journey. And to Jessica A: that is why you are still single.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. Jan 7, 2011
    9
    The characters are real, and therefore compelling. High Fidelity plays off the experience of most men, and does it perfectly. Jack Black, John Cusack, and Todd Louiso are simply brilliant.
  18. Oct 18, 2011
    9
    High Fidelity's best attribute is that it is so incredibly self aware and through that self awareness it exudes this sense of realism. High Fidelity is so incredibly real that your connection with John Cusack's Rob is so strong you get invested and you also understand him despite the fact he is an incredibly well thought out, written and acted character. He is joined by Jack Black and Todd Louiso's Barry and Dick who add a sense of fun to the proceedings which is sorely needed because the main tone set by Rob is one of doom and gloom as he discusses the breakups that ruined him the most. Black especially pulls out all the stops with Barry being a delight because he is just so incredibly self confident despite the fact he is the most despicable of the bunch. This would have been hard to show if it wasn't for Black who really does pull out his best performance. Cusack is great as the bleak Rob and the only reason I don't say this is his best role is because he was just fantastic in Say Anything. (if you thought I was going to say 2012 you deserve to be shot). Overall the film has a confidence you rarely see in films and it knows what its trying to do in a way that by the time you leave the viewing you are extremely happy and satisfied, like me after a roast dinner Expand
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. 74
    Even if it sometimes skips, it's consistently wittier and more idiosyncratic that most studio movies.
  2. Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    88
    Sad, funny, brilliant.
  3. 100
    Causes us to leave the theater quite unreasonably happy.