Score 4/10
The film is a slice of 1995. It incorporates so much that was happening to the teen scene in the middle of the decade. It was a gluttonous time to be a teen in America. I was at my pinnacle, 17, ahhhh.... to be that age. Half my life ago this film emerged and when I watched it amongst friends, it had a lot of what my life felt like. Not fitting in, except with friends. Feeling alone, like I'm the only one dealing with insecurities. Or having friends that are acting or doing things, from which I didn't approve of, i.e. drugs, sexual promiscuity and anti-authority. Sure, maybe in 1995 I was a bit of a wallflower or led a sheltered life, but I love life and I enjoyed 1995. This film I was eager to watch again for the focus on 90's cinema.
But now, it wasn't the same. Am I too old or maybe, since I'm married and have kids, has that changed my outlook. No, its just I'm more versed in cinema. This movie is weak, it does have character development, but so did "Friends" and that was just a half hour, sure a sitcom, but told better stories.
The film takes place at a record store named, title of film, Empire Records all in one day. It incorporates teens from all walks of life, making them best friends/co-workers and utilize this music store as their personal playground. Young at heart boss Joe (Anthony LaPagalia), must stop this place from going commercial and keep this piece of music Americana alive.
The problems the teens experience in the film, are what most teens with angst felt at a given time in their life, even some just for a day. The girl who is sexually charged to the max, because she wants to feel appreciated, the girl who is so pretty and has everything, only to succumb to be known as speed freak, the artsy kid who needs to reveal his crush, the girl who has the weight of the world on her shoulders alone and attempted suicide only because she wanted attention. Finally big boss Joe, who must break free of his chains/the corporate man, only to become his own boss.
Its jumbled and messy, the flow is there, but falls apart due to annoyance and too many story lines. It is hard to take the actors seriously during the more dramatic moments. The soundtrack which was decent, could have been better, much better, especially one that had a setting in a record store. The film more or less is like these young actors cutting their teeth in the business. Several of the actors went on to bigger and better things, so clearly this film didn't ruin their careers, it was a stepping stone along the way.
P.S. - A much better film, similar with struggling teens trying to find identification within their society, and not as pretentious, is SubUrbia. Will be reviewed at a later date.
Starring: Anthony LaPagalia, Rory Cochrane, Robin Tunney, Renee Zelwegger, Ethan Embry and Liv Tyler
Directed by: Alan Moyle
Budget/Gross: n/a / $303,841 (USA)
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Tomatometer: 24% critics and 83% audience liked it
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