On this fateful day back in 1995, Rex Manning visited the independent record store Empire Records much to the employee's indifference, who dubbed it "Rex Manning Day."
If you're not familiar with the 1995 coming-of-age dramedy Empire Records, all the people celebrating this obscure 80's pop icon may be surprising. The Allan Moyle-directed film follows the trials and tribulations of record store employees over the course of a day.
Store manager Joe Reaves (played by Anthony LaPaglia) is stressed due to Manning's impending arrival but also the store's financial woes, which have it on the verge of closing. That day is April 8.
Who is Rex Manning?
Portrayed by Maxwell Caulfield, Manning is a fictional 80's pop icon due to visit the titular record store to sign autographs to promote his latest album in the film. His latest single is "Say No More (Mon Amour)," a synth-driven 80's sounding pop-rock song.
The singer is incredibly self-centered despite the heyday where he was the biggest star in the world passing. When Reaves tells him that the employees all love his new album, he responds, "Good for you."
In another scene, when a fan tells Manning that he was her favorite singer in high school, Manning asks her a really insecure followup question: "Who's your favorite singer now?" Taken aback, she pauses and says "You! It's still you!" Even Manning's manager (Debi Mazar) has a distaste for her client's music.
The store employees' reactions to Manning's visit vary. Corey Mason (Liv Tyler) plans to offer herself to Manning, while Debra (Robin Tunney) declares that she'd rather kill herself than meet Rex Manning. Other employees fantasize about whether Guns N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose would help Manning if he was stranded on the side of the road. "Axl would spin the wheel, take aim, pound on the gas, and take that sucker out." Before the singer leaves the store, the employees tell him off, letting him know that not only do they hate his new album (and the ones before it), but also that his hair looks stupid. To which Manning responds, "Why don't you all just fade away."
Despite Mason's failure to convince Manning to have sex with her, Gina (Renee Zellwegger) does manage to hook up with the "washed-up imposter" by successfully guessing the color of his underwear.
So call out, "Oh Rexy, you're so sexy" and put on "Say No More (Mon Amour)" and celebrate Empire Records on the film's 20th anniversary.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
