Empire Records (1995)

About Empire Records

The 1995 drama-comedy film Empire Records, directed by Allan Moyle, is set in a boutiquerecord store. The film presents the lives of the store's employees over a single day, capturing their interactions with each other and with the customers. Empire Records, a place where the staff feels more like family than employees, is at the brink of being sold to a large chain, but the staff is determined to save their beloved store.

Making / Production

The film boasts the direction of Allan Moyle, and was written by Carol Heikkinen. It was produced under the banner of Monarch Entertainment while Warner Bros. handled the distribution. The principal photography took place in Wilmington, North Carolina over a period of a month and a half.

Actors

• Anthony LaPaglia: Played the role of store manager Joe, he successfully captures the caring, parental figure needed to guide the staff.
• Liv Tyler: As the ambitious Corey, Tyler's performance radiates charm and determination.
• Renee Zellweger: Her character Gina is outgoing and vivacious, and Zellweger brings these traits to life with her performance.
• Rory Cochrane: Plays the role of Lucas, the quirky and well-meaning store employee who sets the plot in motion.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Empire Records initially flopped at the box office, but found a second life as a cult classic on home video.
• The film was shot in just over a month.
• The store in the film was built in a warehouse - it was not an operational store.
• It was Liv Tyler’s first leading role in a feature film.

Quotes

• "Damn the man. Save the Empire." - Lucas
• "I went to rock and roll heaven, and I wasn't on the guest list." - Debra
• "We mustn't dwell... no, not today. We can't. Not on Rex Manning day." - Mark

Music, Soundtrack

• "Til I Hear It from You" - Gin Blossoms
• "Liar" - The Cranberries
• "A Girl Like You" - Edwyn Collins
• "Sugarhigh" - Coyote Shivers

Please note that despite its popularity among fans, Empire Records did not receive any notable awards.