Get ready to relive the nostalgia of the ‘90s before one of the most iconic films of its time leaves Netflix this month. Before Liv Tyler traversed Middle-earth or Renée Zellweger went to Chicago, the two were in a perfect time capsule of the grunge era. Premiering in 1995, Empire Records follows the employees of the titular record store before the music industry was completely destroyed by streaming. The teen drama tracks the characters under the watch of record store manager Joe (Anthony LaPaglia), who rues the day he ever let his best employee, Lucas (Rory Cochrane), close by himself. When closing the store one night, Lucas discovers evidence that the independent music store will be converted into the corporate entity Music Town, going against everything that Empire Records stands for.
In an impulsive move, Lucas empties the safe to play the tables in Atlantic City in order to keep the store running as it is. Naturally, this goes terribly wrong, and he loses everything. The next morning, Joe quickly discovers the missing cash, coinciding with the stressful Rex Manning Day, when a pop star of the past decade was slated to arrive to sign autographs. While the chaos ensues, hormones run wild as high school students Corey (Tyler), Gina (Zellweger), and Deb (Robin Tunney) all contend with their respective drama. Corey has a drug addiction, Gina has self-esteem issues, and Deb survived a recent suicide attempt. These are all the makings of a coming-of-age comedy that defined the ‘90s in a movie that never gets old.
‘Empire Records’ Is a Relic of a Bygone Era
The genre of teen comedies is a trend that has long since passed, just like flannel, record stores, and ending musical numbers. Empire Records has all this and more in a near-perfect exploration and celebration of music. While Joe tries to scramble to get the money Lucas lost so he can be a part-owner of the store and save it from a slow corporate death, the kids are busy with their respective dramas. Corey has enough on her plate with the pressures of school, as A.J. (Johnny Whitworth) confesses his long-suffering love for her. Deb struggles with feeling invisible as Mark (Ethan Embry) celebrates his love of GWAR.
Empire Records was a truly ensemble endeavor that was a breakout for many stars of the day. Despite being a flop at the box office with dismal reviews from critics, the film would go on to be a cult classic that got better with age. The heart of Empire Records was the feeling of optimism and a soundtrack that would eventually be timeless. Songs from the Gin Blossoms, Better Than Ezra, and The Cranberries cemented the film at a certain time that fans old and new are desperate to revisit. Whether viewers remember the time of Tower Records or are just interested in seeing a film in an era gone by, Empire Records is for everyone.
After its poor run in theaters, the film gained traction through home releases and, later, due to the internet, which celebrated Rex Manning Day. Streaming was also a helpful tool, even if Empire Records is on its way out of the Netflix catalog. Fans can still stream the heartfelt film before it leaves the platform on October 24.
- Release Date
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September 22, 1995
- Runtime
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90 Minutes
- Director
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Allan Moyle
- Writers
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Carol Heikkinen
