Nostalgia can be a hell of a drug! As I grow older, I find myself looking back on days gone by, remembering the fond memories of escapism and youth. It feels like I grew up in a golden age—where hanging out outdoors and spending summer days at the multiplex were the norm.
The movie and TV industry knows all about the power of nostalgia, and it’s spent years traveling back in time with its metaphorical DeLorean. While these trips are mostly welcomed, when one comes from one of my favorite directors—the reason I’m writing this review—it’s impossible not to be engrossed. This latest journey is brought to cinephiles by Kevin Smith, and it’s called The 4:30 Movie.
Kevin Smith’s The 4:30 Movie is a charming slice-of-life coming-of-age tale that not only embraces young love but serves as a love letter to cinephiles, friendships, and the multiplex experience. It’s the purest example of how movies can make sense of life.
The 4:30 Movie takes us to the summer of 1986, where Brian David plans to spend his Saturday afternoon with his friends Burny and Belly as they navigate their way through a series of films at the local multiplex. But this Saturday is different—Brian has asked Melody Barnegat out on a date to a 4:30 showing of an R-rated movie. However, when the theater manager bans one of the guys from the theater, summer love, movies, and friendships are all turned upside down.
Writer/director Kevin Smith isn’t reinventing the wheel with this coming-of-age story. What his script does bring is a sense of joy and authenticity that adds to the overall enjoyment of the film. Fans of Smith’s career will recognize some of the pseudo-biographical elements in the plot. Fortunately, The 4:30 Movie doesn’t rely on prior knowledge of Smith’s work to be effective; it’s more of a cherry on top for those familiar with his filmography. While the film includes some of the trademark vulgarity that may turn off anti-Kevin Smithers, he doesn’t overdo it and keeps the focus on the film’s true intentions.
The inclusion of “trailers” within the film is a nice touch, reminiscent of the GRINDHOUSE collaboration between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, where you can’t help but long to see these trailers as full movies. Adding to the fun are a slew of cameos you can only expect in a Kevin Smith film. Alongside Harley Quinn Smith, appearances from Method Man, Betty Aberlin, Jeff Anderson, Diedrich Bader, Jason Biggs, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Garman, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Jason Mewes, and Logic bring their own brand of hilarity to the mix.
The heart and soul of The 4:30 Movie lies in its young cast. Led by Austin Zajur, the chemistry between Zajur, Nicholas Cirillo, and Reed Northup feels natural and lived-in, creating a believable dynamic that makes it easy to believe these three have been friends for life. Siena Agudong, as Melody, shares wonderful chemistry with Zajur, and their scenes together have a sweet, effortless charm that makes you root for them to end up together.
I was always going to be an easy target for a Kevin Smith film, but even I was surprised by the sweet nature of The 4:30 Movie. Smith continues to evolve as a filmmaker, exploring different themes and genres in ways that are refreshing. It’s clear that Kevin Smith remains a unique voice in Hollywood—one I hope never goes away. I’ll always look forward to whatever he does next.
