Drop the needle and spin the vinyl, we’re back! The GoodTrash GenreCast returns to bring a healthy dose of film analysis to Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity. This one is Dalton’s host pick. It is one of his favorite movies, but does the rest of the gang agree? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
On this week’s episode, we kick off with our weekly game. The game this week is our Top 5 Break Up Songs. We go through all the tunes that got us through those tough times and heartbreaks. We also admit a few guilty pleasures. Following our game, we take High Fidelity off the shelf and out of the sleeve to give it a spin on the analysis table.
Dalton kicks things off with a character study of John Cusack’s character, Rob. He explains that by casting ourselves as the wounded protagonist in our minds, we often become our own worst enemy. He argues that the film encourages reflection about how we should behave as humans. Caleb looks at Frears’ use of music throughout the film. He looks closely at the connection between music and memory. He argues that Frears’ is using the audience’s relationship with these songs to trigger a nostalgia trip. Dustin takes the analysis home as he brings up two ideas. First, he mentions a bit of critical theory by talking Walter Benjamin. He then ties these ideas into Rob’s search for love and the object of desire.
Alright dear listener, there you have it. What are your Top 5 Breakup Songs? Let us know! So, until next time, go arrange your music chronologically in the order that you met your friends.
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High Fidelity Timestamps
00:36 – Welcome and Introductions
05:24 – Synopsis and Reviews
14:00 – The Game – Top 5 Break Up Songs
27:00 – Social Media
29:04 – Analysis
47:16 – Shelf or Trash/Else or Instead
55:23 – Wrap Up
Arthur is a creator of content, lover of movies, and father of dogs. If you want to keep the conversation going, then click here to follow Arthur on Twitter. If you would like to keep up with what Arthur is watching, then head over to Letterboxd and give him a follow!
