Empire Records (1995)

Ok so understand that I totally know how many problems this movie has (maybe not the exact number, but I'm aware of its largeness). But I just can't get over loving it. I got it for Christmas and certainly had a delightful time watching the other day despite my father's recurring "hah!"s and "what?"s. Taking place over a 24-hour period, Empire Records details the working lives of a group of attractive teenagers employed at a failing independent record store, where a surprising amount of drama is arising. First of all, it's Rex Manning Day! This means that Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield), an 80's pop star attempting a comeback is going to be here to sign copies of his new crappy album. Empire Records cashier and hopeful Harvard attendant Corey (Liv Tyler) is plotting to lose her virginity that day while serving Rex lunch, having had a crush on him since she was a kid. Gina (Renee Zellweger), her best friend, coworker, and resident trollop, helps her loosen up.

Slacker artist AJ (Johnny Whitworth) has decided today is the day he'll declare his love for Corey. Rebel girl Debra (Robin Tunney) tried to kill herself last night and shaves her head in the employee bathroom before starting her shift (those kooky teens and their angst). Store manager Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) has been trying to save up enough money to become part owner of the store, before it's sold to corporate chain Music Town. Unfortunately Lucas (Rory Cochrane), who closed the night before, decided to take the $14,000 deposit and piss it away in Atlantic City, returning a more zen-tastic man. Now Joe's trying to avoid turning Lucas over to the cops (he is relegated to the break room's couch for most of the day) while he figures out a way to get the money back to the store's owner. These stories and much more unfold and intertwine in a really hectic and unrealistic day at a music store (at least compared to my experiences at Sam Goody and Barnes & Noble Music Dept, but what do I know?).

This movie is fun, fast-paced, and filled with great music-related scenes (lots of dancing around montages). The dialogue is sharp and funny, though often nonsensical. Anything involving Rex Manning is pretty hilarious. Ethan Embry's portrayal of the giggly headbanger Mark is oddly endearing. Renee Zellweger is fairly funny and manages to look like a regular person, while Liv Tyler is as annoying and as bad an actor as ever. To me the standout is Rory Cochrane because he is pretty attractive and entertaining in a coolly sardonic kind of way. The main problem with this movie thematically is that it tries to address numerous "teen issues" but does it in stupid ways. It's like, "Oh my god, one of the characters is addicted to speed, this is an actual problem. But wait scene change, let's forget about it for the rest of the film". Or "This character is suffering some serious depression/anxiety/self-loathing and we'll sort of address it but then a few scenes later everything will be ok". It's annoying but if you look past it to where Empire Records hits it mark- namely its music- and comedy-related areas, it's an enjoyable, silly, over-the-top film with some good writing and a fun cast.

4/5

"Free"- The Martinis

At the end of the movie there's a big party! And Renee Zellweger sings with Coyote Shivers!