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Empire Records

PG-13 Released Sep 22, 1995 1h 40m Drama List
31% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 83% Audience Score 100,000+ Ratings
Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues. Read More Read Less
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Empire Records

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Critics Consensus

Despite a terrific soundtrack and a strong early performance from Renee Zellweger, Empire Records is mostly a silly and predictable teen dramedy.

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Critics Reviews

View All (35) Critics Reviews
David Kronke Los Angeles Times The biggest audience laugh at a recent showing came when a guy deadpanned, "This movie speaks for our generation." The sun can't set too soon on this Empire. Mar 29, 2019 Full Review Mark Caro Chicago Tribune If Clerks were written by TV hacks, it might feel something like this. Rated: 1.5/4 Mar 29, 2019 Full Review Ryan Gilbey Independent (UK) It was never on the cards that Allan Moyle, the director of Pump Up the Volume, would deliver an authentic study of modern youth with his new film Empire Records. But the picture is barely even set on this planet, let alone in this era. Mar 29, 2019 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault An anecdotal comedy like this lives or dies on the charisma of its ensemble, and this is a decidedly fun group to spend 90 minutes with. Rated: B+ Sep 1, 2022 Full Review Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media A box office flop that became a much-loved cult hit, the movie's flaws are the very things that have endeared it to fans over the years. Rated: 4/5 Mar 8, 2021 Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times Likeable if faintly preposterous. Rated: 3/5 Mar 29, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
mark g Very unrealistic and sappy. Few characters have believability or entertainment value. The soundtrack was good, but absolutely nothing else was. Irritating. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/30/24 Full Review Coffee U Lucas foresaw where the over-corporatization of music and entertainment would lead. I miss the days of the local record store, teenagers having jobs based on interests rather than chasing online clout, and groups of weirdos and pseudo-normies being brought together by rhythm and lyrics. If the premise was preposterous, it was in an eerily prophetic way. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/08/24 Full Review Christine J This is my absolute favorite movie. It is perfect. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/09/24 Full Review Shaun C The poor critic reception underscores how perfect a 90s movie this was. In line with PCU, this movie framed future Xennial perspective on rejecting corporate mediocrity. Clearly the message of this flick was over the head of Boomer taste gatekeepers. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/24 Full Review Johan J This is a guilty pleasure for me. Objectively it's not a good movie, but it's a great timepiece. If you were a teenager in the 90's this is a cult movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/15/24 Full Review jim l Fun 90s/Gen X movie with a great soundtrack. Renee Z. and Liv Tyler steal every scene they are in, and Robin Tunney gives the best acting performance of the cast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Joe (Anthony LaPaglia) runs Empire Records, an independent Delaware store that employs a tight-knit group of music-savvy youths. Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane) bets a chunk of the store's money, hoping to get a big return. When this plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the various other clerks, including lovely Corey (Liv Tyler) and gloomy Deb (Robin Tunney), must deal with the problem, among many other issues.
Director
Allan Moyle
Producer
Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson, Alan Riche, Tony Ludwig
Screenwriter
Carol Heikkinen
Production Co
Regency Enterprises
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 22, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Surround
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