Empire Records was released in 1995 and directed by Allan Moyle, who also directed fims such as Pump up the Volume, Xchange and is currently working on Weirdsville due for release next year.
This film is about a music store, named Empire Records, and tells of a day in the lifes of the employees of the store.
The film begins with Lucas (Rory Cochrane) being allowed to cash up at the end of a day for the first time when he finds a letter showing that Empire Records will be taken over by a giant tacky franchise so decides to take the $9104 to Atlantic City and gamble in a bid to save the store. He then loses it all. The rest of the film shows the following day unfolding with several interesting events:
1. Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) finds the money is gone and tries to track down Lucas. He then has to cover for Lucas and find a way to make back the money. Joe is a great character and develops a romance with Jane, is like a father to Lucas and hates Rex Manning.
2. Jane (Debi Mazar) plays the assistant to Rex Manning.
3. Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield) plays a famous singer who is coming for a signing at Empire Records. He is the love of Coreys life who she wants to lose he viginity too but he instead gets naughty with Gina.
3. Corey (Liv Tyler) is the hard working girl going to Harvard. But how does she do it all? She is also the love of AJ's life.
4. AJ plays the artistic character who tries to keep the peace and decides that at 1.37pm he will tell Corey he loves her.
5. Gina (Renee Zellweger) is the naughty girl who is slightly jealous of Corey which is why she goes after Rexxy baby.
6. Lucas as we know loses the money, spends most of the film grounded to the couch and chases shop lifters such as Warren.
7. Warren (Brendan Sexton III) plays the shoplifter who secretly wants to work at the store.
8. Mark (Ethan Embry) and Berko (Coyote Shivers) spend there time being insane on drugs. Mark has a great scene where he is eaten by a giant plant in a music video.
9. Lastly Debra (Robin Tunney) plays a depressed girl who shaves off all her hair and wants to die. A funeral is held for her by all - but she isnt dead.
The film proceeds with the employees having fights, dances accompanied with great music.
But do they get the money or is Empire Records to become Music Town? Well the employees hold a huge party at the store and raise the money with Gina singing on the roof.
I love this film, it is funny, sad and combines several good storylines with great music (except Rex Manning music). You really get involved with the characters and I would recommend this film to all. And I guarantee you will wish you had worked in a store like this.
Favourite quote
Joe: Where's the money? Lucas: Joe, the money is gone. Joe: Yeah, I know it's gone.. but where's it gone to? Lucas: Atlantic City. Joe: Atlantic City?... Is it coming back from Atlantic City? Lucas: Oh, I don't think so, Joe. Joe: What's it doing in Atlantic City, Lucas? Lucas: ...Recirculating. Joe: Recirculating? Lucas: Yeah. Joe: Lucas, listen to me. I told Mitchell Beck that you forgot to deposit the money. I told Mitchell that the money was still here. Lucas: Joe, that's not true. It's in Atlantic City... I swear. Joe: Shut up, sit down, and don't you move. Lucas: It could be in other cities by now... Joe: Oh, shut up! Under no circumstances do I want you to leave that couch... unless it's to get me $9000, and then you bring it here to me, okay? Lucas: Okay. You know, I think things are gonna be all right now, Joe. Joe: Oh? And what makes you think that. Lucas: Who knows where thoughts come from? They just appear. Lucas: Mmhmm! Joe: ...What a moron.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
Soho_Black 18.11.2006 23:09
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" above the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
reddragonflame87 16.11.2006 10:57
You could certainly do with talking about the characters; how well acted are they? Film reviews are very hard to write. I suggest you go read some of christianfilmcritics reviews. Type his name in the search bar, then select search for members on the next screen
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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Nov 16th, 2006
(Nov 17th, 2006)
somewhat helpful by (100%):
