New High for Iben Hjejle

High Fidelity, the film version of Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, might seem like a homage to lads - in all their immature, cheating, trainspotting glory. But there's one woman, at least, who empathises with roguish record-shop owner Rob and his chaotic love life: its female star.

'I know the movie is focusing on how men can be complete arseholes. But I think women can be as well,' admits Danish actress Iben Hjejle, who plays opposite John Cusack as Rob's long-suffering girlfriend Laura. 'I've done a lot of the things that Rob does in the film, and I've also been treated like that. That's why the script appealed to me, because it's really about human relations. Of course,' she adds, 'some women won't have a clue what goes on in men's heads. And that's a good reason to watch the movie, too - to find out.'

The 29-year-old from Copenhagen even appreciates Rob and his pals' obsession with pop music. 'I know a lot of music geeks. First of all, I'm married to one,' she laughs. 'He's a rock drummer. When we first met we started discussing music and I thought, "Oh God, don't make me choose my top five, because I'm definitely gonna blow it." But actually, it's a charming way of getting to know each other.'

The actress (her name is pronounced e-Ben, Yaaa-le) was spotted by director Stephen Frears in the acclaimed Danish film Mifune, in which she plays a prostitute turned unlikely housekeeper. 'I had to find someone you believe Rob could fall in love with,' says Frears. 'And when I met Iben, I could see why any man would be in love with her. It was as simple as that.'

Hjejle, who first acted on Danish television when she was ten, admits to being in shock from her sudden rise to fame. 'When you're a young European actor, appearing in an American film is always at the back of your mind. But no one really imagines it's going to happen to them. It's a fantasy.'