Somewhere in downtown LA, Empire Records is an independent, alternative music store run by Joe (Anthony LaPaglia), with the help of a bunch of young slackers, metalheads and hopeless romantics. Key among them is philosophising Lucas (Rory Cochrane), who falls out of Joe's favour after losing some of the store's money one night during a gambling trip to Atlantic City. Now they face closing down or joining the mainstream Musictown chain, on the day when they're holding a signing for has-been New Wave singer Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield).
On the surface, Empire Records has clearly (if inevitably) dated. With online music services supplanting retail record stores now and just generally changing tastes there, it easily harkens back to 1995. But establishments like its setting have not died, nor the characters you can find in them as here. Empire Records is an ensemble piece, and its characters' dynamics, conflicts and aspirations are just as realistic and relatable now. Under Allan Moyle's easygoing direction the cast (who mostly went on to bigger and better things, namely Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler and LaPaglia) all give hip, effervescent turns from Carol Heikkinen's natural and nicely balanced script. There's also a ripper soundtrack.
Aesthetically, again Empire Records is clearly a product of the 1990s. But spiritually it holds up 23 years later very well. You'll finish it as quite a satisfied customer.
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