Proof that high quality film making exists outside of hollywood. (Clerks (DVD))

Member Name: illogicology

Product:	Clerks (DVD)
Date:	06/09/09 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent script, surprisingly good direction

Disadvantages: Overly philosophical in places

I must confess, I have a soft spot for low budget films. Having delved briefly into amateur filming making once or twice I find it easier to forgive some stilted acting, choppy editing or scenes that aren't quite what the could be. Clerks for me is the ultimate low budget flick.

We join twenty something Dante as he is dragged to work on his day off. Working at the local convenient store, we see the bizarre locals that frequent the store, meet Randal who staffs the video store next door and watch a series of set pieces in Dante's life unfold. Dante is unhappy with his job but doesn't want to go back to school, he wants to get back with his old girlfriend but doesn't want to finish with his new one. Clerks does not have a clear direction, rather it is a portrait of a day in a mundane life. While we are shown a somewhat frenetic day in the life of Dante Hicks, it is merely a reel of slides from different aspects of his life. There is no resolution to be found here, rather a depiction of a single chapter in a larger story.

This was cult director, Kevin Smith's first full picture and it shows. There is a well handled cheapness to the entire production. The cast seem to be entirely drawn from Smith's friends and while there are no oscar winning performances here, they seem to do an admirable job. All the characters are at least convincing. The performances do occasionally seem to be undermined by Smith's dialogue which can come across as a little too snappy to be natural but generally they carry the story well. Brian O'Halloran as Dante is excellent and an excellent foil to the totally unsympathetic Randal. The two work as a perfect pair and the comedy between the two never feels forced and the laughs come through consistently. For such a low budget production the crew seem to be quite able. Smith's directing is professional and admirable, each shot is composed carefully and pleasant to look at. The decision to film in black and white is a masterstroke that enhances the film's effect rather than detracting. However, the strongest part of Smith's directing is the well defined structure of the film. Smith turns budgetary limitations into some of the strongest elements of the picture. Certain scenes, a hockey game on the roof and a disasterous funeral, are skipped over and merely referred to but the effect is not negative. Smith has restraint forced upon him and it plays out perfectly.

Perhaps the biggest strength of Clerks is that as an unproved director, Smith has nothing to lose. Smith writes exactly what he wishes to, never shying away from profanity or sexual humour. in many ways Smith was a filmmaker before his time, the humour is much in the vein of modern films by directors such as Judd Apatow. For those viewers easily offended, this film would not be suitable. At its best it is totally unrestrained and unlike more modern offerings, Clerks has the strength of offering profanity that seems characteristic and not gratuitous.

Conversely, if Clerks has a weakness it is that Smith clearly believes him message to be more significant than it is. He attempts to craft his characters into philosophers, a poor fit at best. While watching the film it is hard to escape Smith's musings and while they are sometimes pleasantly insightful, there are times when the characters are overshadowed by this completely.

All in all, Clerks is an excellent film considering its origins. It is without a doubt the best production by a first time director and well worth watching for any student film maker and fan of low budget flicks.

Summary: Well worth a look for all film fans except the easily offended.