Title: Empire Records
Year: 1995
Director: Allen Moyle
Country: US
Language: English
There are few movies so undeniably 90's like Empire Records. The film is a snapshot of the culture at the time; fully capturing the youthful spirit that permeated throughout society. The film has an edge, a counter-culture attitude that seems to be missing from the 2020's. It features actors that would later go on to become big movie stars, including Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Rory Cochrane, and Johnny Whitworth.
The film is about Twenty-four hours in the lives of the young employees at Empire Records when they all grow up and become young adults thanks to each other and the manager. They all face the store joining a chain store with strict rules.
Set in a record store, the soundtrack proves to be an eclectic mix of '90s rock and alternative anthems, including tracks by Gin Blossoms, The Cranberries, and Better Than Ezra. The music compliments Empire Records' tone, elevating dramatic moments when appropriate, and providing levity during funnier moments. The film hits a strong emotional nerve, capturing the chaos of youth and the bittersweet moments of adolescence.
Empire Records is not perfect however; it is a bit disjointed and awkwardly paced. Character issues are not fully resolved, and some moments are off-putting with how bizarre they become. It's a quirky film with a tremendous amount of soul, but the surreal moments in an otherwise down-to-earth movie might rub people the wrong way. I can honestly see how people could go either way with this movie.
I think Empire Records is an important movie that. at the very least, will serve as a nice slice of nostalgia for older Millennials and Gen X-ers. I was 4 years old when this movie hit theatres, I don't fully see myself in these characters, but I still connect with them on an emotional level. I hope today's youth can as well.
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