High Fidelity (UK)

Being someone who loved Nick Hornby's book I had already prepared myself for a disappointment when watching this film for the first time. but there really was no need. This is a great romantic comedy about life and relationships, and a great adaptation of Hornby's hilarious novel. I thought all the performances were excellent especially the ever brilliant Cusack. Jack Black & Todd Louiso steal every scene they are in. Tim Robbins is brilliant (but brief) as Ian, and also I really enjoyed "newcomer" Iben Hjejle's performance as Cusack's girlfriend Laura.

Visuals and audio are both good, as would be expected of a recent film. The extras are a little on the limited side of things. Having said that, what little we do get is very good. The deleted scenes are fully produced and add to the characters, especially Cusack's (it's a shame there wasn't an option to seamlessly branch them into the film, or even a play all function though). The deleted scenes will particularly appeal to fans of the book, as some of them are "classic" scenes from the book, that they obviously felt didn't work for one reason or another.

The "conversations" with John Cusack and the director Stephen Frears are a cut above the average (i.e. they are actually quite interesting and informative). Cusack's interviews I particularly enjoyed as he was clearly involved with the film from an early stage as he starred, co-produced and co-wrote the film.

We also get a trailer. The menus are unoriginal and static, but easy to navigate at least!

Overall, a great adaptation with some nice extras - I just want more! I would have loved to have a commentary from either the director (who I thought came over very well in the interviews) or Cusack - both of them together would also have been acceptable.