The 4:30 Movie
September 12th, 2024
MOVIE: THE 4:30 MOVIE
STARRING: AUSTIN ZAJUR, SIENA AGUDONG, REED NORTHRUP, KEN JEONG, NICHOLAS CIRILLO
DIRECTED BY: KEVIN SMITH
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 2 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 88 MINUTES
Kevin Smith’s films are undeniably his brand. His movies are interconnected, featuring a recurring cast of actors, the ever-present Jay and Silent Bob, and a consistent commentary on franchise cinema. This signature style has remained largely unchanged outside of Red State, and with The 4:30 Movie, one might wish Smith would allow someone else to take the reins. The film feels like it’s made solely for Smith, his friends, and his most devoted fans, leaving others to wonder when he might break free from his nostalgic bubble. Sadly, The 4:30 Movie is one you can skip.
The protagonist, Brian David (played by Austin Zajur), could easily be seen as a stand-in for Kevin Smith himself. He’s introduced while chatting with his crush, Melody Barnegat (Siena Agudong), who’s at work. Brian cracks a few jokes to brighten her day and invites her to a 4:30 showing of an R-rated film adapted from one of her favorite crime novels. When she agrees, Brian’s excitement is palpable. He teams up with his dim-witted friends, Belly (Reed Northrup) and Burny (Nicholas Cirillo), planning to catch an earlier screening at the theater and then sneak into the later show. Their scheme is complicated by the vigilant manager, Mike (Ken Jeong), adding to the mounting stress of waiting for Melody.
The 4:30 Movie is arguably the best film Smith has made recently. Unlike Clerks III, which felt unnecessary, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot! which was disappointingly unfunny, and Yoga Hosers, which barely registered as watchable, this film at least shows some effort. However, Smith’s screenplay is rife with self-referential nods to pop culture like Star Wars and Poltergeist II, which might come off as self-indulgent rather than charming. Smith’s attempts at humor and romance fall flat, leaving the audience bored rather than engaged.
There’s a better film lurking within The 4:30 Movie. Remove the constant Kevin Smith references, the monologues about Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather Part II as the “only good sequels,” a scene where a friend pleasures himself in the bathroom, and Ken Jeong’s over-the-top performance, and you might uncover a heartfelt story about young love and the magic of cinema. Unfortunately, what remains is more of the same from Smith. It’s time for him to evolve past his familiar tropes, or he may forever be that filmmaker clinging to “the good old days.” It’s disappointing, as Smith is a talented writer, but this film doesn’t quite hit the mark.
2 STARS
THE 4:30 MOVIE IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2024.
Written by: Leo Brady
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