'High Fidelity': Hulu's reboot of the classic film hits all the right notes while mending broken hearts
If you have read Nick Hornby's classic novel 'High Fidelity', you must have noticed the excellence with which musical subjects are portrayed. The movie adaption of the novel in 2000 gave a whole new meaning to the sound of music and its ability to define personalities, not to mention an intense fan base.
When it was announced that there would be a gender-flipped reboot of 'High Fidelity' (2000), we may have not expected the series to shine as bright as the movie did. Film alumni, Lisa Bonet's daughter Zoe Kravitz takes on the lead role of Robin 'Rob' Brooks and delivers 10 episodes of high strummed lo-fi beats of heartbreak.
The movie had remnants of a 90's vibe but the series managed to take on the hipster look and we are not complaining. While the first few episodes rang close to the original source material, the series gained its own momentum making for an easy-going storyline. Rob, who plays the role that John Cusack played in the 2000 film, is a hopelessly single record store owner in the rapidly gentrified Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Her camera confessions and interpretation of her top five heartbreaks will charm you as well as move you to tears as she revisits past relationships through music and pop culture. She is also trying to get over her most recent heartbreak with Russell 'Mac' McCormack (Kingsley Ben-Adir). There is another layer of longing-for-an-old-love's essence added to her character as she narrates her monologues. As Rob tries to intertwine her love for music and her luck with romance, she encounters a few potential suitors along the way.
The series still had the charming essence of the movie. Rob narrates her monologues when her love life seems to be going off the deep end, all the while running a record store (because old school is the way to go).
Now, coming to the critical aspect of the narrative — music. If you are a lover of beats and under the impression that people can be broken down into a tracklist, Championship Vinyl might be the record store for you. The series echoes a distinct love for music in all its glory — from debates about the best of David Bowie's albums to the need to listen to Kanye West's raps.
In the 10 episodes of the comedy show, Rob hangs out with her two friends and co-workers, her gay ex-boyfriend Simon (David H Holmes) and aspiring musician Cherise (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), who plays Jack Black's role in the movie. Meanwhile, Rob goes on a journey of self-discovery through rock n roll and some rhythm and blues.
Even though we see almost distinctively similar scenes and dialogues from the movie in the first few episodes, it gains respect as it's own show. If you are in for some vinyl music, debates about what music should be heard or have simply gone through a breakup, Hulu's 'High Fidelity' will not disappoint.
Our advice? Keep some tissues handy and don't text your ex.