Kevin Smith is unique filmmaker, to say the least. He began his directorial journey with the gamble of a lifetime, by self funding his debut feature entirely through various loans and maxed out credit cards. This gave birth to the original Clerks, a seminal film that acted as a north star for guerrilla filmmaking in the mid 90’s. Since then Smith’s career has taken strange and delightfully unpredictable trajectories. From indie darling, to podcasting pioneer, Comic Book-king, and the man without fear. Indeed, Smith has worn a vast array of interesting and diverse backwards caps (both metaphorically and physically). His newest film though, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, in many ways feels as if he has finally come full circle. The 4:30 Movie review in full is below.
The 4:30 Movie review
The plot revolves around three 16 year old friends in 1986, who spend their weekends sneaking into movies at their local cinema (or ‘movie theatre’ to be colloquially accurate). With the linchpin of the films events, both dramatic and comedic, being that Brian (the wonderful Austin Zajur) has invited his high school crush to an R-rated movie.
The story itself is uncomplicated and without thematic intricacies bubbling under the surface. But, like Smith, this is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. And that’s a good thing. Loosely based on his own adolescence, this isn’t just a deeply personal coming of age tale. It’s a love letter to cinema as well. In fact, the theatre itself is the very same one that Smith experienced many of these memories at, after he purchased it in 2022 in a bid to save it from closure.
Related: UK release date set for Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’
Behind the scenes trivia aside however, the sentimentality and love for the art form is on full display throughout. And it’s infectious. Unhampered by a pre-digested, studio mandated, committee-voted requirement for world-building and sequel-baiting, this is a film that marches to the beat of its own drum. Not that Smith has ever really swam in those sorts of waters (aside from a brief flirtation with Superman, but that’s another story).
Having been shot in what is now his own theatre, it nicely mirrors Clerks’ production in the very convenience store he worked at during that time. Thankfully though, 2024 Smith is now armed with a host of famous friends at his disposal. This means the film is also littered with hilarious cameo appearances from familiar faces such as Jason Biggs and Justin Long.
The central cast are primarily newcomers, but each brimming with their own unique charm that makes their group dynamic a strong glue holding everything together. Nicholas Cirillo, in particular, shines as the bad boy with a heart of gold, Bernie. Ken Jeong also takes on a meaty supporting role as the antagonistic theatre manager, whose presence never fails to brighten any given scene. The humour may not be for everyone. But, anyone familiar with Smith’s prior work will be surprised at how refreshingly reserved his ordinarily crude dialogue is here.
At one point in The 4:30 Movie a character utters the immortal and poignant words ‘movies make life make sense’. This line is the films calling card. A message to the inner child within all of us movie lovers that look to the big screen and the smell of stale popcorn as a pathway, to help understand and decipher the journey we’re all on. Of course, if that’s not your thing. Then a simple, uncomplicated, 88 minute story of friendship, growing up, and first love is something even the most cynical and times-truck can surely get on board with.
The 4:30 Movie
Written and directed by one-man movie phenomenon Kevin Smith (the Clerks movies, Dogma, Mallrats and Chasing Amy), his sixteenth film was shot at a cinema he co-owns in New Jersey. Starring Justin Long (who starred in Smith’s horror film Tusk), Jason Lee (Alvin and the Chipmunks), THE 4:30 MOVIE also features four bright young stars – Nicholas Cirillo, Reed Northrup, Austin Zajur and Siena Agudong – and includes cameo appearances from Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso) as wrestler Major Murder, and The Hangover star Ken Jeong as the cinema manager.
Summary
Smith’s latest is a story of friendship, growing up, and first love as well as a brilliant, deeply personal coming of age tale.
The 4:30 Movie is released in limited cinemas from 13 September and will be available on digital platforms from 21 October.
