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High Fidelity

year 2000decade 00sdirector Stephen Frearsgenre Comedygenre Romancegenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Joanna Robinsonhost Rob Mahoneyproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 28 categories

The film

High Fidelity (2000)

Directed by Stephen Frears · Comedy

114 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

John Cusack Rob Gordon
Drake Bell young Rob Gordon
Iben Hjejle Laura
Jack Black Barry Judd
Catherine Zeta-Jones Charlie Nicholson
Lisa Bonet Marie De Salle
Sara Gilbert Anaugh Moss
Lili Taylor Sarah Kendrew
Tim Robbins Ian "Ray" Raymond
Joelle Carter Penny Hardwick
Ben Carr Justin
Natasha Gregson Wagner Caroline Fortis
Ian Williams a guy in record store
Al Johnson a record store geek

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

1:30:10

Casting What-Ifs

Jack Black, David Arquette, Liz Phair, alternate fantasy musicians, deleted performers, and an uncleared Lennon song

Jack Black, David Arquette, Liz Phair, alternate fantasy musicians, deleted performers, and an uncleared Lennon song

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:10Read transcript
  • Jack Black initially passing on Barry is reported. — Bill Simmons
  • David Arquette was reportedly offered Dick, a choice judged much worse. — Bill Simmons
  • Liz Phair was reportedly considered for Marie DeSalle, which is treated as a very different version.
  • Bob Dylan and Billy Corgan are considered as fantasy replacements for Springsteen.
  • The Ramis and Beverly DeAngelo deleted scenes are recalled. — Bill Simmons
  • An uncleared John Lennon song is identified as Cusack’s desired choice for Rob’s proposal. — Bill Simmons
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1:35:11

Recasting Couch

Samantha Mathis, Laura Linney, or Famke Janssen as Laura, with reservations about fit and star power

Samantha Mathis, Laura Linney, or Famke Janssen as Laura, with reservations about fit and star power

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:11Read transcript
  • Samantha Mathis is proposed as an early-1990s version of Laura.
  • Laura Linney is proposed, with doubt that she fits Laura’s partying history.
  • Fomka Johnson is proposed if Laura remains European, then rejected as too much firepower.
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1:38:56

Half-Assed Internet Research

Marie DeSalle’s cover album, Tim Robbins’s wig deal, the original finale song, the Cusack siblings, and Rob’s visible...

Marie DeSalle’s cover album, Tim Robbins’s wig deal, the original finale song, the Cusack siblings, and Rob’s visible records

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:56Read transcript
  • Marie DeSalle’s album is reported to include “Ghostbusters,” “Beat It,” “Mbop,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” — Bill Simmons
  • Tim Robbins reportedly took small roles partly so he could keep the custom wigs. — Bill Simmons
  • “Got to Give It Up” was reportedly the original Jack Black finale song before the chosen replacement. — Bill Simmons
  • Joan and John Cusack are said to have appeared together in ten films.
  • Five visible albums are proposed as Rob’s implied top five, including Funkadelic, Neil Young, the Beach Boys, Sonic Youth, and the Minutemen.
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1:47:45

Picking Nits

Barry’s hidden music, his flyer, Ian, record handling, apartment economics, Laura’s moves, funeral mud, and autobiogr...

Barry’s hidden music, his flyer, Ian, record handling, apartment economics, Laura’s moves, funeral mud, and autobiographical shelving

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:45Read transcript
  • Barry never performing before the finale is questioned. — Chris Ryan
  • Barry’s listed influences are said not to match the soul performance he gives. — Chris Ryan
  • Laura choosing Ian is treated as a familiar and implausible period trope.
  • Calling Ian a Supertramp fan is called gratuitously insulting. — Rob Mahoney
  • Using Royal Trucks as the teenagers’ music is challenged because that band belongs inside the store’s Chicago scene. — Chris Ryan
  • Lewis is criticized for bending an expensive Captain Beefheart sleeve by its corner. — Chris Ryan
  • Rob’s apartment and the store’s ability to pay two workers are questioned.
  • Laura’s immediate moves into partners’ homes are questioned as a repeated habit.
  • Rob jumping into mud after the funeral and immediately having sex in a car is called disgusting and visually inconsistent.
  • Autobiographical record shelving is debated as satisfying but practically impossible.
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1:56:18

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Ethan Hawke casting, Rob’s partners, Marie, Penny, DJ prospects, and name variants

Ethan Hawke casting, Rob’s partners, Marie, Penny, DJ prospects, and name variants

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:56:18Read transcript
  • Whether Ethan Hawke would improve the film as Rob is debated, with Cusack’s likability defended.
  • Ethan Hawke in the Ian role is considered as a more grounded rivalry between two icons of the era.
  • Who Rob should end up with is asked; nobody and the Chicago Reader critic are proposed.
  • Why Rob never calls Marie DeSalle again is questioned and defended as mutual recognition that the encounter was temporary.
  • A better response to Penny’s story is proposed as a path to a relationship with her. — Joanna Robinson
  • Rob’s plausible ceiling as a DJ is questioned.
  • The shift between Rob, Robert, Bob, and Bobby becomes a question about identity and nicknames.
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2:04:06

Best Double Feature

Clerks, Empire Records, Juliet Naked, Grosse Pointe Blank, About a Boy, and Say Anything

Clerks, Empire Records, Juliet Naked, Grosse Pointe Blank, About a Boy, and Say Anything

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:04:06Read transcript
  • Clerks is proposed. — Rob Mahoney
  • Empire Records is proposed. — Rob Mahoney
  • Juliet, Naked is proposed as a version from the partner’s perspective. — Rob Mahoney
  • Grosse Pointe Blank and About a Boy are proposed separately. — Bill Simmons
  • Say Anything is proposed as a Cusack bookend. — Bill Simmons
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