The 4:30 Movie Review: Heartfelt nostalgia

The 4:30 Movie is another winner for Kevin Smith, who takes us back to 1986 in this cheesy and hilarious semi-autobiographical tale starring a terrific Austin Zajur.

I did not expect that space to be a coming-of-age journey that has similarities to a John Hughes film. Save for one issue in particular, Smith does surprisingly well in this new arena and crafts something that will not only have you chuckling but also leave you with a feeling of warmth and joy. 

The 4:30 Movie takes place during the summer of 1986 and centers on three sixteen year old friends who have a Saturday pastime of sneaking into films at their local theater. When Brian David (Austin Zajur, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) manages to invite the girl of his dreams to see an R-rated film, it seems like the world is dedicated to interfering with those plans.

This narrative is personal to Smith and this shows up in the writing, particularly during the film’s dramatic beats. Viewers are treated to a fictionalized glimpse into what Smith’s teen years were like in the same way that the Clerks films center around different parts of his adult life. Smith’s on screen avatar is Brian David and that not only comes through in the performance of Austin Zajur but also in how this character is written. He has all of Smith’s goofy charm while also being a little insecure, especially when it comes to his crush, Melody Barnegat (Siena Agudong, F9). That insecurity is typical of any teenager and it really helps sell Brian David as a genuine person who you can root for. 

There is a sort of innocence to the film as a whole, because audiences can put themselves in Brian David’s shoes even if the character is mostly based on Kevin Smith. We have all been teenagers hanging out somewhere with friends, had first crushes, etc. This movie will likely remind you of your own youth as you watch Brian David’s journey unfold. 

While the plot is fairly straightforward, Smith does manage to make things interesting. It is a love letter to his own youth, but is bound to conjure images and feelings of nostalgia from viewers, especially if they grew up in the 80s. For those that love the experience of going to the movie theater, this will also be a treat. Smith has really bottled up the things that make that experience special and brought them to the screen. It is not just the films that make theaters magical. The people you are with (whether you know them or not), the staff, concessions, and even the trailers before the movie are all part of what can transform a regular trip to see a film into something so memorable. 

Austin Zajur and Nicholas Cirillo (Outer Banks) are excellent as Brian David and his friend Burny. While those two and Reed Northrup’s Belly are the heart of the film, I found myself more drawn to the bond of Brian David and Burny more than anything else. Zajur really embodies Kevin Smith’s energy but you totally buy that he is playing a teenager. One of the best examples of that is when Brian David is on the phone with his mom (Rachel Dratch, Saturday Night Live). You can hear the annoyance in Zajur’s voice but can tell at the same time that he is trying to be respectful while speeding up the conversation. Moments like this will have audience members recalling their own youth.  

Cirillo’s Burny provides so much of the comedy here and is an absolute delight. His immaturity is often on display but this is a key part of his journey. Smith uses it not only as a source of laughs, but also ties that trait perfectly into Burny’s arc which we see unfold during The 4:30 Movie. From minute one, this character has this flaw but at the same time, he is fun, and ultimately seems to care about his friends. Burny, like Brian David, is written realistically, and the pair reminded me of my own friendships at times. Neither of them are perfect, nor is their relationship with each other. However Smith understands that even the best friendships have their hurdles and that the strongest ones find ways to survive. This is what makes Burny and Brian David’s friendship the heart of the film, because you feel for them both and understand them.

Zajur and Cirillo do their best work whenever they are opposite each other. They go back and forth several times and you get to see a wide range of emotions from both actors. Their clear chemistry together also helps sell the moments that Brian David and Burny have, which is not always easy. These two are clearly trying to get the greatest performance out of each other for every scene and this shows up often in a good way.

Yes, The 4:30 Movie is in fact quite cheesy in the same way many 80s set coming of age stories can be. You will probably see some developments coming as a result. There is also the fact that Smith, while pulling elements that I’m sure he discussed as a youth, has a habit of winking to the audience with his references. There is a line about how a new live action Batman film will “flop” that I found particularly egregious. Some of these references work and are funny, but there is a point where it feels like Smith is beating a dead horse. 

Surprisingly, the numerous cameos from Smith’s previous collaborators didn’t take me out of the story all that much, they played their roles well and that was that. The best of these cameos comes from Cliff “Method Man” Smith earlier on in what is also my favorite use of the many references. 

The score by Bear McCreary and soundtrack overall absolutely rock. They help you get immersed in the 80s setting and on top of that just flat out sound phenomenal. From the minute that I Can’t Wait by Nu Shooz began to play, I was swept up in the moment. Additionally, I have not been able to get McCreary’s end credits song out of my head and odds are you will feel the same way. It is another element of The 4:30 Movie that would have fit in an actual 80s film. 

Thanks to Kevin Smith’s personal touches, excellent character writing, and a couple of standout performances, The 4:30 Movie will leave you with a smile on your face. Even if a particular element or two may get on your nerves, you can certainly tell that Smith put a piece of his soul into this film and that should be applauded.

The 4:30 Movie will be released in US theaters on September 13, 2024.