Empire Records (1995)

Director:

Allan Moyle

Writer (WGA):

Carol Heikkinen (written by)

Release Date:

20 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Open 'til Midnight.

Plot:

The employees of an independent music store learn about each other as they try anything to stop the store being absorbed by a large chain.

Plot Keywords:

Music Store | Drug Addiction | One Day | Craps | Bald Girl

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia	...	Joe Reaves
Maxwell Caulfield	...	Rex Manning
Debi Mazar	...	Jane
Rory Cochrane	...	Lucas
Johnny Whitworth	...	A.J.
Robin Tunney	...	Debra
Renée Zellweger	...	Gina (as Renee Zellweger)
Ethan Embry	...	Mark (as Ethan Randall)
Coyote Shivers	...	Berko
Brendan Sexton III	...	Warren (as Brendan Sexton)
Liv Tyler	...	Corey Mason
James 'Kimo' Wills	...	Eddie
Ben Bode	...	Mitchell Beck
Gary Bolen	...	Croupier
Kimber Sissons	...	Woman at Craps Table (as Kimber Monroe)

Also Known As:

Empire
Rock & Fun

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual situations, language and a drug issue.

Runtime:

90 min | USA:107 min (special extended edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Canada:14A | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Monarchy Enterprises B.V.

Trivia:

Maxwell Caulfield's character, Rex Manning, was on a TV show titled "The Family Way" in his earlier career. This is the same title of a film in which his current sister-in-law, Hayley Mills, had a starring role.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lucas is in the casino at the craps table, after winning the first roll, he picks up the dice and then goes into his "save the empire" speech. After stating he would buy the table a drink if he wins again, the table attendant pushes the dice over to him.

Quotes:

Mark: Hey, Lucas. I've decided I'm going to start a band.
Lucas: The first thing you need is a name. Then you'll know what kind of band you've got.
Mark: Right, right. I was thinking about, um, Marc. How does that sound?
Lucas: Is that with a C or with a K?
Mark: Well my name is with a
[checks his nametag]
Mark: K, so I was thinking my band's name could be with a C. That way it's kind of that psychedelic, you know, trip thing.
Lucas: Always play with their minds.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The School of Rock (2003)

Soundtrack:

Money (That's What I Want)

Perfect...Well, not quite Perfect

For me, Empire Records is a very conflicting movie. On the one hand, it's hysterically funny. On the other hand, it attempts to make great revelations about America's youth. Somehow, though, it all works! Sure, there are some "sappy" predictable parts that you're not sure whether to laugh or cry at, but the timing of these scenes is fantastic. One thing that really struck me about this film is the amazing use of music. Certain songs can be heard repeatedly throughout the movie which really help to distinguish parallel story lines. All in all, I think it's great.