High Fidelity
On the surface, High Fidelity is a story about breaking up and getting back together again. Only, thanks to director Stephen Frears' narrative technique, we don't realize this until the credits start to roll. He plunges into the life of Rob Gordon, played by John Cusack, on the night his girlfriend, Laura, leaves him. Rob's subsequent depression and self-analysis is the focus of the film; getting the girl back becomes secondary. Rob's frustration from his break up with Laura reminds him of all of his other failed relationships, specifically, his "Top Five All Time Break Ups List". His recounts of each girl are interspersed throughout the first half of the film. We only learn about Laura as we learn about Rob's past. Consequently, the main part of the narrative is either flashbacks or direct commentary by Rob to the audience. This might seem to be a weakness, but it is in fact a vehicle for Frear to move the present plot forward. It is only through understanding Rob's past, that we can understand his current angst. In addition, the slow revelation of the causes for his and La
So many stories trivialize it or play it for cheap comedy. Rob gives us commentary on an event, but we get to see the cast members physically create the event and judge for ourselves. Once again, the audience's perspective is linked with Rob's personal journey. Yet Rob still hasn't fully grasped what happened between him and Laura. High Fidelity is an entertaining, but poignant look at breaking up. This one is more interested in exploring what a breakup does to the psyche. We learn things as Rob himself is ready to deal with them. It is a great strength, and in fact the very nature of the film, that we are limited to Rob's mental struggle. Through the creative narrative techniques of flashbacks and candid monologues, the audience becomes fully engaged in Rob's struggle. Basically, he realizes that although he was dumped, he is now glad now that each of them ended. Rather, it is the supporting cast that really defines Rob for us. His discoveries give him a whole new perspective. His concept of his whole dating history and his idea of relationships start to change.
Common topics in this essay:
Ups List,
Rob Rob,
Laura Fidelity,
John Cusack,
Stephen Frears',
,
Rob Gordon,
understand current,
rob's past,
break rob,
|
Acceptance Essays
