Empire Records
Tags: cult

Plot synopsis:
Empire Records is a small independent record shop managed by Joe (Anthony LaPaglia). His employees are all high-schoolers and young adults. The store, like the employees, is eclectic and unique. The staff is very much a self-created family, with Joe as the reluctant and perpetually exasperated father figure.Joe selects Lucas (Rory Cochrane) to close the store for the first time. While counting the days receipts, Lucas discovers that Empire Records is about to be converted into a branch of Music Town, a large and generic franchise music store. Lucas has an epiphany, and in an attempt to save the store, takes the day's cash receipts to Atlantic City. While initially very lucky, he loses the entire amount. The next morning, Mark (Ethan Embry) and AJ (Johnny Whitworth) find Lucas asleep behind the store, still perched on his motorcycle, and quickly deduce that Lucas has made a grievous mistake while entrusted with the store money. Lucas adopts a bizarre, almost zen-like attitude towards his actions. AJ and Mark feign ignorance as to the missing money when Joe discovers the night deposit was never made, and the money is missing.Joe is distracted from dealing with this immediate crisis due to a scheduled publicity stunt. Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield), a pompous, fading pop singer, is due to arrive to sign autographs and promote his new album. No one is really looking forward to "Rex Manning Day" except cashier Corey (Liv Tyler), a overachieving student headed for Harvard University who has a schoolgirl crush on Rex, and plans to lose her virginity to him. Corey's friend and fellow cashier Gina (Renée Zellweger), a more adventurous and free spirit than Corey, encourages Corey in her pursuit of the much older Manning.Empire's owner, Mitchell Beck (Ben Bodé), arrives to collect the missing deposit, but Joe covers for Lucas and plays for time by handing Mitchell a bag full of loose receipts. AJ confides in Joe that he loves Corey, and has chosen Rex Manning Day as the day he tells her. Lucas returns and rather than show repentance or guilt, calmly and repeatedly insists that everything will somehow work out, much to Joe's growing confusion and frustration. Joe forbids Lucas to leave the store (or even the couch in the break room) until he is able to repay the $9,000.Deb (Robin Tunney), another store employee, arrives. She, as usual, is hostile and anti-social to the rest of the staff. She immediately locks herself in the bathroom, where she impulsively shaves her head. As she exits the bathroom, AJ sees that her wrists are bandaged and she admits that she attempted suicide. It's revealed that Berko (Coyote Shivers), a local rock musician and another store employee, has just broken up with her, but Deb insists that he wasn't the reason for her suicide attempt.A young shoplifter who identifies himself only as Warren Beatty (Brendan Sexton III) is apprehended outside the store by Lucas. Soon after, Rex Manning arrives with his assistant Jane (Debi Mazar). Manning is condescending toward Joe, the rest of the staff, and his fans. Corey, after demanding (at the top of her lungs) that she be allowed to bring Rex his lunch, awkwardly attempts to seduce him during his lunch break. When Manning responds with a crude pass, Corey runs off, crying in embarrassment. A lovesick AJ finally attempts to tell Corey how he feels about her. Corey, emotionally overwhelmed by her encounter with her idol, tells AJ that she cannot handle his admission. Crushed, AJ abandons his plan. When Corey later attempts to assuage AJ's feelings by telling him she doesn't think of him that way, he rebuffs her. In the meantime, both Joe and Berko attempt to reach out to Deb, who refuses to explain her behavior or the circumstances that led to her bandaged wrists. Deb buries herself in work, but is clearly upset. As the afternoon progresses, the plan to convert Empire Records into a Music Town is revealed, and Joe admits that he had hoped to buy Mitchell out. However, Joe will now have to use his money to replace what Lucas lost, and Empire Records is now doomed to become a Music Town. Joe finally pummels Lucas in frustration.The afternoon continues to spiral downward. Corey accuses Gina of encouraging her ill-advised behavior around Rex, implying Corey's effort to emulate Gina's promiscuity was Gina's idea and ultimately at fault for the failed seduction, and that Corey doesn't have to 'behave that way' around men. Outraged at the accusation and seeking to hurt Corey, Gina seduces Rex Manning, much to the horror of her friends. AJ attacks Rex, who leaves after getting in a lucky punch against AJ. When Corey confronts her, calling her a slut, Gina retaliates by revealing Corey's secret amphetamine habit, which helps her stay up all night studying. Corey has a hysterical episode and has to be physically restrained by Joe. Uncharacteristically, Deb shows sympathy towards the always perfect Corey having a near melt-down and helps calm her. Corey, after hearing about Deb's suicide attempt, arranges a "funeral" for her where all her friends gather around and say they'll miss her & talk about what they love about her. Lucas reveals that Joe actually rescued him from the orphanage as a teen, and was trying to repay him for his kindness. Deb admits she tried (and failed) to kill herself with a disposable razor...with a moisturizing strip.During the mock funeral, "Warren" returns with a gun and holds up the store. Deb boldly confronts Warren, confusing him and distracting him from his plan, and the rest of the staff persuade Warren into admitting that he only returned because he because he felt kinship with the rest of the misfits in the store, leading Joe to offer him a job. After the police leave, Lucas admits defeat, and suggests calling Mitchell. However, his friends and co-workers (along with Jane, who has quit working for Rex), pool their resources to replace the missing money. Despite their best efforts, they are thousands short. Suddenly inspired, Mark runs out of the store and impulsively jumps in front of a news crew covering the hold up and announces a late night benefit party/concert to save Empire. Between AJ's art, various money raising efforts by the rest of the staff, a rooftop concert featuring Berko and Gina (who is finally fulfilling her longtime ambition to front a band), enough is made to replace the money Lucas lost. Joe and Lucas return the money to Mitchell, and promptly quit. Mitchell, appalled at the debacle and the prospect of managing the store without Joe, offers to sell it to him...cheap. Joe agrees. Corey tells AJ that she really does love him too, but that she now hates him for waiting so long to tell her how he felt. AJ tells her he has quit the store, and has been accepted to an art school in Boston, and they finally kiss.Underneath the closing credits, Mark and a local pizza restaurant employee and friend, Eddie, discuss music while sitting on the curb outside the store.

Review: the characters in empire records, yes, are submerged in their overdramatic romantic escapades, but their main prerogative in the film is to prevent a large corporation from buying out their independent record store.
There is a very strong soundtrack for the movie, but you appreciate it more the second time through, because you better understand how the music applies to the scene.
The plot is simplistic and the "neat" ending (all problems solved perfectly in just one day) is unrealistic (not that this bothered me....I personally loved the ending....if I want "reality" I'll watch the evening news).
It stars, Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Johnny Whitworth, Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Rory Cochrane, Robin Tunney & Ethan Embry.
For on the day that the store will be visited by a fading pop star, they are forced to confront their personal issues, and maybe, just maybe, learn something about the people they work with.The film was a box office failure and was met with mostly negative reviews from the professional critics.
So unless you are judging it against the superior, record shop set, High Fidelity, you may find it's a film that's hard to dislike.Some of the complaints against it are fair, with the main one about it not having fully developed characters being as true as day is a day.
LaPaglia has always worked since 95, playing a number of different supporting characters, and Embry has appeared in big release's such as Vacancy and Eagle Eye. Caulfield has turned into the go to guy for TV shows and Whitworth, who quit acting for a while, pops up from time to time in minor roles such as in 3:10 To Yuma and The Rainmaker.
So, not a career killer then.Stick it to the Man, Baby, Empire Records is a vibrant and funny movie.
Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler, Anthony LaPaglia, Robin Tunney, Johnny Whitworth, Max Caulfield, Debi Mazur, and Rory Cochrane, one of the coolest people alive.
This movie follows the stories of many people who work at Empire Records, a music store on the brink of closing.
Anyways, take the movie for what it is: teenagers working at a record store, dealing with life issues with good music playing in the background.
thisis th ebest film ive seen in ages and i watch alot of movies..
i wore an outfit scarily like the one liv tyler sports (although without the hideous unders combo, im sure), i knew people like every one of the 'archetypes' from the movie and i really, really wanted to work in a record store.
and doesnt everybody want there to be a cool record store like this in their town?i guess for me it is a nostalgia thing, but i watched it (again) the other night with my boyfriend, and we both still laughed during the funny parts and cuddled during the sweet parts and, well, danced during the dance parts.
its just fun to look back on such a 'time-period' movie like that ...
how good is it to hear the gin blossoms again, eh?im sure many would disagree, but for someone who was right there when it was all happening, so to say, its a gentle reminder of the days before mtv committed suicide, before liv tyler started making 'real' movies, and when phrases like 'whats with Today, today?' could travel through a junior high faster than mono..
A rock and roll good time of teen movies.
But I'd like to work at Empire Records, they can actually dance in the store!
This was the time where there were some actual good teen movies.
You also get the early glimpses of Rene and Liv. They actually look good in this movie!
Empire Records is funny and slightly offbeat teen movie.
How about the perfect cast with actors including Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Renée Zellweger, Coyote Shivers, Brendan Sexton, Liv Tyler, James 'Kimo' Wills, Ben Bode, and my personal favorite actor Ethan Embry (credited as Ethan Randall)Thus making this the best movie ever..
Ug, it makes me sick just thinking back about it to review it.Gwar are on screen for a couple of seconds which is good, but even they are tarnished by this cinematic turd.Whichever cynical film company put together this mockery of alternative teen life should feel ashamed and should probably be taken outside and shot..
Way back in 1997, at the young age of 17, I wandered into my local Hollywood Video store with the family, looking for a comedy to get me through the night.At the time, I had been trying to get a job at one of the music shops in the mall (for the record, I never got one there).
We've been together nine years next month and have a four year old daughter together.But the love for 'Empire' doesn't end there.After moving to Alabama, I got a job at a movie theater.
This movie has it all: great acting, cool music, and a wonderful plot.
Here we have several very mixed up kids full of angst and various problems making life miserable for a record store manager....and, at times, each other.
Maxwell Caulfield is so sleazy, yet so awesome.Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler, and Robin Tunney work so well against each other in these classic teen stereotypes that actually end up breaking the stereotype in believable ways.Rory Cochrane steals and carries the show, but Ethan Embry and Brendan Sexton just add to the layers of hilarity..
I found myself identifying with every single character in some way, and Empire made it easy to laugh at the true insanity of what people who work retail go through: obnoxious customers, bosses that are cool, higher ups that suck, etc.The movie made me a lifelong fan of Coyote Shivers' music (check out his CD if you haven't already -- it's a scream) and many of the talented players, but especially Ethan (Randall) Embry and Kimo Wills.Highly recommended by this ex-record store clerk!.
Very funny, the characters you get interested, has a good script, a good development of film, attracts and keeps the spectator entertained, apart if you like films a little old, this you will love, and especially Liv Tyler looks incredibly hot and beautiful.
Empire Records is arguably the closest the 90s came to channeling one of those memorable 80s teen ensembles like the Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles or Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Occurring almost entirely within the confines of an independent music store and utilizing some then fairly unknown, but quality, young actors like Liv Tyler, Renee Zellweger, Ethan Embry, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, and Robin Tunney with an excellent older cast Maxwell Caulfield, Anthony Lapaglia and Debi Lazar.Lapaglia stars as Joe Reaves, the manager of Empire Records, an independent music store facing hard times and on the verge of selling out to the Music Town franchise thanks to the evil owner Mitchell Beck (Ben Bode).
With a past his prime 80s rock star Rex Manning (Caulfield, brilliant) visiting the shop to sign autographs the confused staff work through their various issues and try to come to terms with the coming change.The film has an excellent soundtrack and some great comedy scenes.
It goes a little more deeply into some significant issues faced by the characters, without getting bogged down by them, though it does offer some too easy solutions.In the end if you take good performances, a great soundtrack, and an basic plot, you get a good movie..
now, don't get me wrong, i hate being labelled as a gen-x'er, but this is a great movie to watch with friends.
i simply love this move for the mere fact that it is a wonderful "feel-good" movie-- not to mention its many quoteable scenes, and hilarious characters.
This is a movie with stars at there best (such as Ethan Embry and Liv Tyler).
It's about teens that work in a record store that is going out of business and they are trying to save their favorite place to be.
Empire records is by far one of the greatest movies I have ever seen!
Not because of the cinematic quality but just that its a great film to watch over and over, with an amazing soundtrack and a great young and talented cast.
It really makes you want to work in a record store (even though i don't know many like empire records!)I just have to say watch it or miss out on a real fun movie with no serious messages attached to it, except to be young, free and live for music (as they say "music is the glue of the world").
The critics seemed to have missed the whole point of this movie.It is meant to be about these kids and how they depend on the people in their lives and how they are willing to go out of their way to help those around them.Whether they think of each other as friends or not.Whether they even like each other or not.Plus ,of course,nobody could deny the pure energy of the sound track.If you want to get your blood pumping,this is the sound track to buy..
Empire Records is a really fun, light movie that you could watch over and over and not get sick of!
If you're looking for plot, serviceable acting, continuity, and general viewing satisfaction, you would be better off renting a copy of "The Garbage Pail Kids Movie." Poor Anthony LaPaglia.
Roger Ebert pretty much summed this movie up best when he described it as a soundtrack in search of a film.
Please do people really think life is like this movie ?
I've never worked in a record store but i've seen High Fidelity enough times to know it's not like this , and the difference between a good movie and a bbbbaaaaadddd one ..
Seriously, how can you make such an aweful film when you add such fantastic movie elements as speed freaks, goth chicks, whores, pot heads, and a music store all in to one?
A decent soundtrack is not enough to justify seeing this movie - I think I would have been better off spending my 2 hours doing just about anything other than seeing Empire Records..
Had it not been for Ethan Embry and Renee Zelwegger, I probably would have turned it off, but I thought that they did great jobs, and I commend them for working so hard on a bad movie.
The director also, I much prefer his old work, such as Pump Up The Volume with Christian Slater...That was a real movie, Empire Records is like, Pseudo-intellectual, pseudo-teenage crap...I don't know anyone that is above the age of eleven that acts as immature as they do...
And, sadly, it's also not the best movie about people hanging out in a record store -- "High Fidelity" is a better contender in that category.
All fine actresses, but nothing worth seeing the film for if that's all you want to see.There's nothing new about the idea of trying to get a store saved from going under (or a school, or a radio station -- see "UHF").
I like mostly old punk and some new stuff as well, and this movie had tunes from AC/DC and even cool original music (at least I think its original) that Renee Zellwegger sings.
Now, we do usually have a very similar taste in films, but oh dear God I hated Empire Records!!I could kinda tell i wouldn't like it from the video jacket, which makes a lot of fuss about the film's soundtrack, and this brought to memory a piece of advice I'd heard before which everyone should take heed of:BEWARE OF MOVIES THAT VALUE A SOUNDTRACK HIGHLY IN THE TRAILER OR VIDEO SLEEVE - THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS RUBBISHOh how I wish I'd listened to this!
I did try to like this movie for my boyfriend's sake, but unfortunately I found every character to be bland and undeveloped; the one day setting meant that plotting was thrown out of the window, indeed I'm not even sure that there was a plot; the dialogue was almost 99% cringe-worthy 'teenspeak'; for a comedy there were no laughs; and worst of all, the lauded soundtrack was appallingly thrown at the movie with no relevance to scenes.Watch this film if...
Everyone I spoke to who had seen this movie at that time really liked it, but I thought it looked totally lame, so I never saw it.Fast forward to last night, when I did!
This is my first movie review so i through i would start with one of the best films of all time!
Every time i have a bad day i watch this to cheer me up!With a great sound track and some pretty great acting for the stars of tomorrow (well now the stars of today!).SO if your looking to feel good about the 90's and want to listen to classic tunes as well this is one for you.
One character blows all the record store's money at the beginning of the film, no reason given.
Nothing about the film feels consistent or worth caring about.If you want to watch a good film about music try High Fidelity or Almost Famous, where the characters are actually entertaining and well written and the stories not the stuff of ridiculous adolescent fantasy..
Empire Records is the worst movie about music there possibly can be (with the exception of possibly 8 mile).
If you really want to see what a real small time record store looks like in the form of a movie (with good acting and an actually interesting plot), see High Fidelity.
It's probably because I have such a high appreciation for music, that I though it must get better at some point (Steven Tyler must have disowned his daughter after such a disgraceful movie).
I wanted to like this film - I really did - but from the outset, I couldn't help but notice how cliched the characters were.
Empire Records is one of the most abysmally annoying films I've ever seen in my life.
I want to say Empire Records is so bad it's good, but that would require actual enjoyment from the film.
The dumb script centers around a Tower Records-like store where the characters all work.
Corey Mason (Liv Tyler) and flirty friend Gina (Renée Zellweger) have a crush on 80's pop star Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield) who is coming to the store.
Empire Records is a movie set in such a place.
The young employees of Empire Records band together to try and prevent their quirky, independent store being sold to one of those big, bad corporations which will turn the place into a soulless, generic Music Town.
All the clichéd characters we've come to expect from a movie like this are here.
Watching this movie it's easy to see why Renée Zellweger, Robin Tunney and Liv Tyler were destined for bigger and better things.
The best thing the movie has to offer is its soundtrack, a nice mid-1990s musical time capsule.
Most of those other movies have been much better than Empire Records..
Empire Records has everything: the music, great and likable characters, comedy, romance and drama.
Believe me, when you watch this film, you will be wishing you too worked at Empire.
This movie is a classic and needs to be shown more on T.V. Some of my all time favorite quotes are from this movie.I think everyone in the 25-35 age group love this movie.It reminds me of High School and all my friends.I love the plot line and the characters they are all so love able including Mitch"the Man" you just wanna shove him from the Roof while the band is playing!!!The individual quirks of all the employees was brilliant and added so much drama to the movie.Favorite scene was the chase and arrest of Warren it was so funny.I watch this movie every time it is on which is not that often.DAMN THE MAN SAVE THE EMPIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
The first time I seen this movie was at film school.
I love this movie for the soundtrack and cheesy teenage love between Liv Tyler and A.J. My favorite character is Deb, played by Robin Tunny.
Then there is a couple other characters along with the cool boss Joe. The main plot of this story is about Lucas, assistant manager wanting to save the store from being bought out by Mega Mart or whatever cheesy corporate company wants to buy out Empire Records.
I was also strongly reminded of "High Fidelity".Besides being hilarious, touching and nostalgic all at once, Empire Records also had another effect on me and that was making me want to call all my old buddies from that time period to yell at them to see this great movie....immediately.
I have a friend who forgot what a great movie it was and she just watched again for the first after a long time and she and her daughter watched together and she and her friends just love it and now it is one of there favorites like it was to her mom and me.
A really fun, funny and touching look into the lives of people who work at a record store.
It is funny, has great characters (that do things that one would never guess) good music and the acting is very good.
If you haven't seen this movie and love music, love record stores and play real records, definitely rent it.
This film is one of the best teen movies, I first watched it ten years ago when I was 12.
Joe, Lucas and Warren by far are the 3 best characters I've seen in a movie.
A great movie with a now-famous cast that was young at the time.
I hope many people watch this film and come away that the early and mid 90s were a great time to be young and in college.
One day in the life of several teenagers who work at a record store.