Kevin Smith remains one of my favorite filmmakers, even though the majority of his titles as of late have been filmed and produced independently of any major studios. The 4:30 Movie tells a gloriously silly story set in the summer of 1986. One of Smith’s most personal yet is also unlike any other films he has made thus far, essentially acting as his version of the “coming of age” subgenre. Who doesn’t lament the timeless innocence of sneaking into multiple movies in a day with their high school friends? Smith feels comfortable existing in this space, relishing in the trademark humor and silly cameos that color his work. Fast paced and a great accompaniment to this year’s underrated Snack Shack, The 4:30 Movie brings nostalgia and 80s flavor to Kevin Smith’s already iconic filmography.
Obsessive movie nerd Brian David (Austin Zajur) spends most of his time wiling away the hours at his local theater, sneaking into movies with his two best friends and somehow dodging the theater’s obnoxious manager, Mike (Ken Jeong), in the process. After what seems like a lifetime of pining after his crush (or one summer, but who’s counting?), the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself. Brian manages to snag a movie date with Melody Barnegat (Siena Agudong) that comes with a few caveats. She wants to see an R-rated flick, which all but guarantees they will have to sneak in. Brian’s closest pals, Burny (Nicholas Cirillo) and Belly (Reed Northrup), certainly aren’t going to make it easy for Brian to solidify things with Melody, who notably is one school grade below them.
The 4:30 Movie ultimately has a simple enough concept to make it easily palatable—namely, three horny teenage boys talking fast and loose about 80s pop culture, while trying to sneak into different auditoriums. To some, that idea alone may seem too small stakes. For those who experienced the theatergoing landscape pre-2010s, however, that extra layer should add relatable appeal. So many of my teenage memories involve sneaking into R-rated movies with my friends, or having my parents actively participate in deceiving the employees. Hotly debating what horror icon would win in a fight pitted against each other or the never-ending sequel quality argument was part of everyday life for a young cinephile. Clearly Kevin Smith had a similar experience, judging by his tightly-scripted coming-of-age comedy.
Smith injects a meta edge, having fun with faux trailers inspired by real movies. My favorite was probably Astroblaster, a Flash Gordon copycat starring rap guru Logic in the lead role. His fake titles are silly but well-executed, including action-packed nun-turned-hooker Sister Sugar Walls, or the Ghoulies knock-off, Booties, involving monsters that kill by crawling up a toilet and into an unsuspecting bum. His cast, some familiar yet peppered with many newcomers, relishes every zany moment. Their camaraderie has an ebb and flow that clash each time another face emerges. Some of the best scenes in the film are between Brian and Mike, the latter of whom comes across as the nastiest onscreen theater manager in quite some time. Of the lead trio, Nicholas Cirillo as obnoxiously sex-obsessed Burny feels the most at home in Smith’s View Askewniverse. Following the director into a post-accident world, one has to relish his resuscitated passion for telling personal stories rather than going after continued commercial success. A massive heart attack can do wonders for the creative process, apparently. For Kevin Smith aficionados or teen-centric cinema lovers, The 4:30 Movie should arrive just on time, accompanied by all the extras, and a free refill to boot!
Leave enough time to make The 4:30 Movie in cinemas, opening Friday, September 13th.
