This week's film is one that I like to think I've outgrown. The thing about outgrowing something--or even just growing up--is that, in my opinion, it should not be done completely. There is hopefully, after all, some positive element in something you've outgrown that you were initially drawn to and want to hold on to and remember in perpetuity. Consequently, I think it's important to revisit certain things to remember and even reinforce those positive elements.
I often refer to this film and the novel on which it was based in these weekly rantings (check out this week's Album "sermon" if you don't believe me). When the movie came out in the spring of 2000, I have to say that I don't think I had ever identified with a protagonist more. I still do in many respects. The book then became one of my favourite novels.
A friend of mine who also identified with it when he was younger--possibly even more than me--told me he had recently re-watched it and couldn't believe that at one point he actually wanted to be that character. After all, he's cranky, a bit of a jerk, self-centered, and immature. When I think about it, I don't think I ever particularly wanted to be that character--I just was that character... to a point.
Rob Gordon is a pop culture geek and compulsive list maker who owns a record store and has a great deal of relationship drama, much of which he caused. Throughout the movie, we get to see Rob stumble along somewhat blindly trying to sort it all out.
Even though my friend may not agree, I'll defend Rob. Not for the egregious things he did to screw everything up--he even agrees with his ex's friend that he's a "fucking asshole"--but because he acknowledges it and makes a genuine effort to be a better person. I honestly think that by the end of the film Rob has matured considerably and is a better person than he was at the beginning. But I also like to think that even though he was able to sort out his relationship issues, he was able to hold on to all the things--like the pop culture geek stuff and compulsive list-making--that made me identify with him in the first place. And it's those elements that I still like to revisit from time to time--primarily because I also share them.
And while I've certainly had my share of relationship drama--I'm pretty sure we all have--I hope I'm not now and never was as screwed up as Rob. In the 26 years since the movie came out, I like to think I'm also a bit more mature than I was then, and I hope I never was the "fucking asshole" Rob was. Certainly age and the passage of time have caused me to alter my perspective on a lot of things.
John Cusack stars in the film as Rob. He also co-produced and co-wrote the screenplay with Steve Pink and D.V. DeVincentis, based on the novel by Nick Hornby. (A couple of key details were altered from the book--namely Rob's last name was changed from Fleming to Gordon and the action was moved from London to Chicago.)
Directed by Stephen Frears, the film co-stars Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Joan Cusack (John's sister), Iben Hjejle, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Lili Taylor, and Tim Robbins. This week, please enjoy High Fidelity.
Until next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock 'n' roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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