Music and Teen Angst

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2003)

While this movie is one definatley worth watching, there are still certain aspects of it that make me cringe. First of all the casting of Johnny Whitworth as AJ was a terrible decision. This character was supposed to be intresting and deep. However by casting a pretty boy I found my self hating this character. If this movie was made ten years ealrier John Cusak would have played AJ, of course because of the music it would have been a entriely different film.
As much as I hated Johnny Whitmore I did think that Anthony Lapalglia was great as Joe. Joe was supposed to be like that groovy guidance counselor in high school who was always there to look out for you. Lapaglia plays this character just right. There is no doubt that this material is below him but he handles it very well.
Some of the other memembers of this cast are also entertaining to watch. Another good performance comes from Rory Cochrane as Lucas, the philospher and smart ass of the group. Also this film features a pre-Jerry Maquire Rene Zellwegaras the slutty Gina.
The story it's self is nothing really revoluntionary. A group of mistfits work in a record store that is going to be made into a Sam Goody type outlet store very soon and all the freedom their cool, hip boss, Joe has provided them will be gone. Oh and there is the girl dealing with suicide, heart ache, and ultimatley love growing from heart ache. At certain points in this film it seems like it is trying to be a 90's take of Dazed and Confused. Dealing with teen issue while packing the movie full of period music and colorful characters. However, rest assure it is no Dazed and Confused
The rest of the movie is just alright. It is a good movie to catch on VH1 every once and awhile or even rent when you can't think of anything else. For me the film's soundtrack brought me back to the good ole' days of 1995. Coming home from the 7th grade turing on the radio while doing homework and listening to the Gin Blossoms
Catch the movie if it is on or rent it when you got nothing else to see, it's good for that.