150 Word Review: 'Empire Records' (1995)
Like, whatever
The 1990s are more myth than historical truth now. And director Allan Moyle's lighthearted workplace coming-of-age comedy set in something called a 'record store' during the final decade of the most consequential century in human history recreates a time and a place that never existed but might as well have. Empire Records features a cast of eye-rolling irony-pilled Gen X goofballs and edgelords. Think Friends, but grunge-y.
Anthony LaPaglia plays the worst boss in history, a moody, aging rock and roll Peter Pan torn between keeping his struggling record store pure or selling out to a corporate chain. The movie's two stand-outs are a young Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger as sexy, quirky co-workers and Robin Tunney as a riot grrrl wannabe. Maxwell Caulfield is perfect as coiffed Rex Manning, a made-up pop heartthrob/creep. The soundtrack is a late-night MTV mix of classic rock, pop punk, and alternative hits.