Until my flatmate stuck this film in the dvd player the other night, I had almost forgotten this little gem existed. Good thing I remembered because it is a FANTASTIC film, which contains early performances from such stars as Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger.
"Empire Records" is basically a day in the life of a group of kids who work at a store called Empire Records - sort of a "Mallrats with music". This day happens to be the day that has-been pop star Rex Manning is going to be at the store, and (more worryingly) the day after Lucas, one of the employees, has lost all of the money from the safe in a casino. All nine thousand dollars of it. Money that Joe, the boss, was going to use to try to buy out the jackass owner of the store. Before he sells it to Music Town and the unique Empire Records loses its personality and becomes another faceless chainstore.
Due to Lucas's actions (he was actually trying to save the store himself, believe it or not, by gambling the money in the first
place), it seems unlikely that the store can be saved now.
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THE MAIN CHARACTERS:
AJ - artistic and sensitive (and very cute!), he has been in love with Corey for years, unbeknownst to her.
COREY - beautiful, innocent and an over-achiever who is so determined to succeed that she pushes too hard.
GINA - a bit of a "go-er", cheeky and mouthy yet loveable, with a fondness for virtually nonexistent skirts.
LUCAS - cocky and sure of himself but he has a heart of gold.
DEBRA - complicated and moody, it is seemingly impossible to break through her barriers.
MARK - obsessed with rock music, wants to be in a band. A fairly two-dimensional character who appears to be there mainly for laughs.
JOE - the boss. He seems tough but he is basically a good guy who appreciates his staffs' loyalty more than they'll ever know.
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When Joe (Anthony laPaglia - Without a Trace) discovers what has happened to the money, he is angry, but doesn't report him to the police, instead telling him not to leave the sofa in the back. Of course, it is already clear that Lucas (Rory Cochrane - CSI Miami), is not good at doing what he is told and ends up capturing a shoplifter, the mouthy Warren, who is a great cause of amusement for us throughout the film.
The other characters are going through some problems too. A.J. has decided today is the day he will tell Corey (Tyler) he loves her after years of adoring her from afar. He is planning to tell her before 1.37 that afternoon (very precise of him!). But Corey, intent on losing her virginity to Rex Manning, may not care. Debra (Robyn Tunney - "The Craft") has just shaved her head, left her hair in the sink and is walking about with a massive bandage on her wrist, but still manages to wind up Gina (Zellweger). Yet the two do have a brief bonding moment over the Music Town rules and regulations:
Debra : No visible tattoos. Gina: No revealing clothing. Debra: We're both screwed. At least YOU'RE used to it.
In the meantime, crazy Mark (Ethan Embry - "Can't Hardly Wait") has not really got any problems - apart from in his head, of course!
The characters all seem very REAL, they all have their flaws and yet they remain likeable in spite of this. They work well together, both on their own and as an ensemble cast. You get the impression that this film was a lot of fun to make as they spend a lot of time dancing around the store, singing along to music and trading insults. They may just be hanging around aa record store on a working day but there are so many funny incidents and witty comments, particularly regarding Lucas's mistake (Debra: Hey Lucas, I hear you committed the perfect crime. Lucas : Not entirely perfect.) and so many hilarious supporting characters (particularly Warren) that it's a hard task NOT to enjoy this film!
Will Corey lose her virginity to a washed-up has-been and lose AJ's love? Will Debra manage to sort out her problems? And will Joe, Lucas, et al manage to save Empire Records in its current incarnation? I'd recommend you watch the film to get the answers. Because if you start watching, you'll really get to know the characters and you'll really care how it ends!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
They're selling music but not selling out. Empire Records is an independent music store ... more
in dire trouble of being sold out to a large chain. After a failed attempt by Lucas one of it's employee's to raise money to buy the store--using revenues from a...
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