Not Shawshank Redemption, but wasn't meant to be.

Rating: 7/10 (10 January 2005)

I first discovered this film as a teenager and loved it(probably owing to the number of attractive males in the cast!). I haven't seen it in a few years and wonder if I'd still be as enthusiastic about it now.
However, I do remember that at the time of my obsession with this film I always maintained that it was not yet another pointless teen movie. The cast was well picked and stand-out performances come from (despite previous role as a nobody in the excruciatingly awful 'Dazed and Confused') Rory Cochrane, who is utterly endearing as the witty Lucas. The mix of new actors like Liv Tyler and Ethan Randall with better known actors such as Anthony la Paglia and Maxwell Caulfield (who is outstanding as the sleazy Rex Manning) works a treat and makes for a thoroughly entertaining film. Not only is it filled with gags and myriad band name-checks, but for anyone in their late teens/early twenties who posed the question 'what the hell am I doing with my life?' this film touches on the more sensitive side of growing up too. And lets not forget the triumphant ending which sees the independent store achieve victory over corporate take-over!
Excellent soundtrack and amusing music-geek conversations between 'Eddie' and 'Mark' could easily be two of your friends at a party.