If you're a fan of low budget,independently produced cinema with a subversive edge,then Clerks is for you. Kevin Smith made his feature film debut with this kitchen sink,black & white film,that may remind some viewers of some of the early Jim Jarmusch,or Hal Hartley films (who both get an acknowledgment in the closing credits), with a (then)no name cast,shot mostly in a convenient store (with some extra footage shot in a video shop next door). The plot has Dante Hicks (played to the hilt,by a damaged looking Brian O'Hallorin),who is experiencing what has to be the absolute worst day ever in his life. He is called into work on his day off,when he is supposed to hook up with his pals to play some hockey. His lazy,good for nothing slacker of a friend,Randal,who works next door in the video mart (yeah...right!), manages to be nothing short of a major thorn in Dante's side by being obnoxious to customers. The various weird customers that Dante hates dealing with. Among others,Dante finds out his ex girlfriend is getting married,which launches Dante into a downward spiral of depression. Toss in a couple of equally obnoxious pot dealers (Jason Mewes,as Jay & Kevin Smith,himself as Silent Bob,who lives up to his namesake)to up the ante,and you have yourself the makings for a caustic comedy that will turn some off & attract a cadre of followers. This film had a bit of controversy,due to the fact that the goons at the MPAA wanted to slap this film with an NC-17 for the nearly non stop barrage of vulgar language & crude sex jokes. In the end,though, Smith appealed & got the 'R' rating he wanted. This is the film that would spawn a sequel, an short lived animated series (only six episodes,although only two were ever aired on ABC),not to mention turning Jay & Silent Bob into an icon of pop culture. Not a film for every one's tastes,but those who endure,will be pleased. Rated 'R' for wall to wall profanity & sex related jokes (although nobody in this film removes so much as a shoe).
Review of Clerks
