The Regulars: Review.
Set in 2019 but consumed by the 90s, The Regulars depicts the daily lives of those working at the Prince Charles Cinema in London. Writer, director, and star, Fil Freitas injects Kevin Smith and Richard Linklater sensibilities from the opening black and white frames to the pop culture-heavy dialogue. It’s an indie hangout comedy set in the last days of a pre-COVID world, soaking in the bliss of a day at the cinema. Fil (Fil Freitas) and Dusty (Dusty Keeney) navigate the theater in a mix of Clerks and Empire Records that reads like a love letter to Gen X indies.
The Prince Charles Cinmea is as much a character in The Regulars as the employees. Fil, Dusty, the manager, Sam (Richardo Freitas), and a whole ensemble of theater employees and patrons populate the cinema as the mundane proves to be a dry comedy goldmine. On a surface level, the plot is just a day at the movies, or a day at work for those shoveling the popcorn for quirky customers. But like Slacker and Mallrats before it, The Regulars is about relationships and a fleeting moment in history. Placing the story just before the COVID lockdown gives the film a unique place in time, making the 90s nostalgia feel more than sentimental, but organic to the lifestyle of the entire ensemble of characters.
More tame than Clerks, Fil Freitas packs dialogue with pop culture and just enough raunchy, dark humor to keep the rebellion alive. Performances are all subtle, quirky, and leaning into the irreverent dry style of a grunge comedy. Subtle cinematic references blend seamlessly with bold monologues and pop culture takes. A throwaway line about Brad Pitt eating is gold for the Soderbergh aficionado, while the Kylo Ren monologue feels at home with any recent or classic Kevin Smith character. The Regulars is an ensemble piece, but Fil and Dusty’s relationship sits atop the many intermingling relationships of the Prince Charles Cinema. It’s what makes The Regulars more than an imitator of a great ’90s hangout movie but a contributor to the legacy.
Legacy is a vital topic of The Regulars. More than taking place in a beaten-down local theater, Freitas discusses the legacy of indie film in the 90s. A time when Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Kevin Smith had become rockstar directors with their DIY chops. The days of video stores creating taste and Film Threat just starting to christen indie darlings. The Regulars captures all that angsty, punk rock energy and packs it all into a 2019 package, but it’s so accessible. The pop culture-spiced dialogue, the witty strangeness, and nods to cult film make The Regulars a love letter to video store days and theater hopping.
More than creating a timely film, The Regulars opts for timeless. Despite rooting the film in the 90s ethos, Fil Freitas and his band of rebels capture the timeless magic of being young, working with your friends, and going to the movies. Not every trope hits like it did in the ’90s. The Regulars does miss out on the poetic bliss of a Silent Bob monologue or the euphoric climax of “Sugar High” from Empire Records. The story could even benefit from a wild card, Jay & Silent Bob-esque character to break up the pacing a bit, but doing so could risk becoming a complete spiritual sequel. Instead, The Regulars opts for sweet on the climax. Promising a beautiful future, yet with COVID on the unsuspecting horizon, adding even more depth to the tapestry of electric characters. The tales and triumphs of The Regulars is not for everyone, but for those longing for the days of Dante & Randal at the quick-stop, Fil & Dusty will provide plenty of nostalgia even for the most cynical.
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