The 4:30 Movie: Kevin Smith and the Gen X Cinephile

Kevin Smtih loves New Jersey. Kevin Smith loves movies. As an Xer, he’s finally getting old enough to get wistful. And so, thirty years into his career, he’s turned back to before its advent. In The 4:30 Movie (2024), Smith dives into his own youth and his love of cinema.

For all its hokeyness, I couldn’t help but smirk throughout. Smith glories in knowing jokes about the future (“Bill Cosby—nothing will ever be bad about that guy”). He gives us a sweaty stand-in for himself, a chunky teenager paralyzed by love (of a girl and, of course, movies). His friends are dumb and possessive. He discovers he wants to be a director—what’s not to love?

I don’t have much time this week, so this isn’t much of a review. Nor do I intend it to be. With my limited time, I just wanted to offer a brief shout out. As a New Jerseyan, Smith has a special place in my heart. I haven’t loved most of his more recent work. So, when I found this one—a kind of return to form—I had to watch it. I hope you do too.