Favorite Audiophile Movies

[KellenVancouver]

We all have favorite movies, and likewise we typically have favorite movie soundtracks, usually divided by genre. But what about movies specifically focused on audiophiles, or if not centrally focused on audiophiles, at least highlighting the audiophile hobby as a subplot or major plot device? I know that is a pretty niche category, but there are some out there. Favorites?

 

[anmpr1]

I know there was a movie called High Fidelity. Never saw it, so I don't know how much hi-fi is involved.

Not sure anyone would want to watch a movie about someone listening to records. I guess you could make a comedy out of it. I think that might work. Fremer as a Woody Allen-ish neurotic, checking his microscope in order to get the VTA on his expensive turntable correct. Then, a therapy session with his psychoanalyst; on the couch asking if he's crazy because he rewired his house in order to get the 'front to back depth that he always knew was there', out of his records?

His doctor, played by Jack Nicholson, frowns, checks his watch and thinks, "What a weirdo. At least I'm not the one the couch. And he's paying me for this? 15 minutes and I'm outta here--lunch time."

That would be pretty funny, especially if you could expand the plot and dialog a bit. Hire the right producer, and feature an oddly attractive but borderline quirky actress to spice it up. I know Robert Altman is no longer available, but what about Shelley Duvall?

Below are a couple of movie soundtracks now in my record rotation. Enjoyable enough, but I admit never have watched the movies:

 

[KellenVancouver]

One that just crossed my mind doesn't really qualify as an audiophile movie, but at least has the science of sound (sort of) as a central feature, is Blow Out from waaaaay back (1981). Movie held some interest regarding special effects/sound focus, but was ruined for me by the female lead.

 

[Robin L]

I know there was a movie called High Fidelity. Never saw it, so I don't know how much hi-fi is involved.

Not sure anyone would want to watch a movie about someone listening to records. I guess you could make a comedy out of it. I think that might work. Fremer as a Woody Allen-ish neurotic, checking his microscope in order to get the VTA on his expensive turntable correct. Then, a therapy session with his psychoanalyst; on the couch asking if he's crazy because he rewired his house in order to get the 'front to back depth that he always knew was there', out of his records?

His doctor, played by Jack Nicholson, frowns, checks his watch and thinks, "What a weirdo. At least I'm not the one the couch. And he's paying me for this? 15 minutes and I'm outta here--lunch time."

That would be pretty funny, especially if you could expand the plot and dialog a bit. Hire the right producer, and feature an oddly attractive but borderline quirky actress to spice it up. I know Robert Altman is no longer available, but what about Shelley Duvall?

Below are a couple of movie soundtracks now in my record rotation. Enjoyable enough, but I admit never have watched the movies:


View attachment 172606View attachment 172607

"High Fidelity" is all about record collecting culture. The Debut of Jack Black, super-annoying record store clerk, surprisingly good singer. Worth watching, but not about audiophilia nervosa.

Blade Runner 2049 has the best merger of foley and music scoring I have heard, with lots of really powerful deep bass.

 

[KellenVancouver]

"High Fidelity" is all about record collecting culture. The Debut of Jack Black, super-annoying record store clerk, surprisingly good singer. Worth watching, but not about audiophilia nervosa.

Blade Runner 2049 has the best merger of foley and music scoring I have heard, with lots of really powerful deep bass.

That distinction seems also to characterize Ghost World (2001).

 

[Martini]

Except, perhaps the casting of Tom Hulce as Mozart, Amadeus was pretty good music-wise. The audiophile equipment of period portrayed, were actual instruments

 

[anmpr1]

On a similar note:

21 of our favourite turntable cameos in films and TV shows

Spot the deck: we pick out the most interesting and enviable record players to grace the big (or small) screen.

www.whathifi.com

I've lived with and played around with several of the gear shown here. Can't say the same about the actresses. Probably the other way around would be better.

 

[Mnyb]

“As Good As It Gets” with Jack Nicholson in the lead role , the main character has all sort of mental issues including OCD ofcourse he has massive Thiel speakers , but the set decorators ruins it by placing them suboptimaly

 

[Deleted member 23424]

One that just crossed my mind doesn't really qualify as an audiophile movie, but at least has the science of sound (sort of) as a central feature, is Blow Out from waaaaay back (1981). Movie held some interest regarding special effects/sound focus, but was ruined for me by the female lead.

Blow Out and The Conversation both spring to mind. Lots of vintage gear in both, one even features Gene Hackman discussing the benefits of using new fangled MOSFETs.

Nice Harman Kardon rig in American Psycho too.

 

[LightninBoy]

In the 2015 Goosebumps Movie, the dad (Jack Black) was confronted by police regarding screaming sounds coming from his house. Jack explained it was from his stereo system and that he was an "audiophile". One of the police was shocked and asked "a *what*aphile??"

 

[LightninBoy]

Blow Out and The Conversation both spring to mind. Lots of vintage gear in both, one even features Gene Hackman discussing the benefits of using new fangled MOSFETs.

Nice Harman Kardon rig in American Psycho too.
View attachment 172640

"Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?" Iconic scene.

 

[Robin L]

"Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?" Iconic scene.

 

[Robin L]

I guess you could make a comedy out of it. I think that might work. Fremer as a Woody Allen-ish neurotic, checking his microscope in order to get the VTA on his expensive turntable correct. Then, a therapy session with his psychoanalyst; on the couch asking if he's crazy because he rewired his house in order to get the 'front to back depth that he always knew was there', out of his records?

His doctor, played by Jack Nicholson, frowns, checks his watch and thinks, "What a weirdo. At least I'm not the one the couch. And he's paying me for this? 15 minutes and I'm outta here--lunch time."

That would be pretty funny, especially if you could expand the plot and dialog a bit. Hire the right producer, and feature an oddly attractive but borderline quirky actress to spice it up. I know Robert Altman is no longer available, but what about Shelley Duvall?

I say Paul Thomas Anderson directs, or that other Anderson guy. Cast Seinfeld as the victim of Audiophilius Nervosa, Zach Galifianakis as the shrink, Ana de Armas as the love interest, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as her mother. There's a major league-dispute over tracking angle between Seinfeld and Adam Sandler, ending in a shoot-out. Straight to Apple TV.

Title: Revolver.

[I can picture myself pitching this to Griffin Mill]

 

[KellenVancouver]

Another one I just thought about, and I'd be modestly surprised if many of you have seen it. Includes a small subplot concerning a doctor's obsession with fusion jazz. A wonderful and rather heartwarming comedy called La Grande Séduction. It's a Canadian film from 2003. The movie is in French and I think for English audiences they marketed it under the title Seducing Dr. Lewis. Honestly, one of my all-time favorites.

 

[Dave Zan]

We all have favorite movies... the audiophile hobby as a subplot or major plot device? Favourites?

Surely it has to be the old Clockwork O...?
Brilliant movie, fantastic sound track, music as a central plot point, and as a symbol.
And such a pretty sound system, I still want a Transcriptor, even if I know it won't measure so brilliantly.

Patrick's tape deck and speakers will spark memories for fans too...

Best wishes
David

 

[jsilvela]

Audiophilia plays a big role in Diva, an awesome French cult classic.
Good soundtrack too.

Diva (1981) ⭐ 7.2 | Crime, Music, Thriller

1h 57m | R

www.imdb.com

 

[jsilvela]

That distinction seems also to characterize Ghost World (2001).

Oh what an underrated masterpiece. Zwigoff also made "Crumb" on R. Crumb the artist. Massive music collector. Perhaps that also earns it an audiophilia side-nod.

 

[Freeway]

Pirate Radio
Empire Records

Perhaps not audiophile, but certainly for music lovers.
I have told my kids to watch these to understand a bit of where I come from.

 

[jsilvela]

Ruthless People is brilliant. Not strictly audiophile, but the Judge Reinhold character works at a HiFi shop.
A couple scenes

 

[iann]

Ruthless People is brilliant. Not strictly audiophile, but the Judge Reinhold character works at a HiFi shop.
A couple scenes

His character name is Ken Kessler as well.