Classic independent comedy (Clerks (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Clerks (DVD)
Date:	18/09/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Characters and script

Disadvantages: Acting is a bit hokey

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

Clerks is the film that shot director Kevin Smith to fame, and allowed him create numerous other films within the same universe, such as Chasing Amy, Dogma, Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and the direct sequel, Clerks 2. Were it not for the success of this independent gem, Smith wouldn't be where he is today, but as a parable of the drudgery of working in a dead-end job, combined with some intelligent musings on life and love, this film clearly connected with a lot of people. At one time it was also the most stolen VHS in the history of rental stores.

The film revolves around Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran), a Quick Stop employee who hates his job and isn't so hot on his life either. His girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) informs him of a crude truth he'd rather not know, and he's not even supposed to be working today. Soon enough, his friend Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), who works (badly) in the rental store next door shows up, and the film largely consists of them discussing various aspects of life and pop culture as the dull day passes by. They also get involved in a few zany situations, and Dante's ex-girlfriend shows up, causing him to ponder what he really wants out of life.

What this film benefits from is its script - it is superbly written, clever, and very, very honest. It's crude, but a lot like the recent Judd Apatow films, infuses it with feral intellect and home truths that makes it genuine. Whilst the amateur performances are stagey and not so good, given how this was virtually a guerilla film, I can let Smith and Co. get away with it, because the rest of the content is so strong.

An excellent cult film about the lives of store clerks and how they may be more exciting than you'd expect! Hilarious in a semi-subtle way, characteriscally crude writing from Smith, and great performances all around, this is a cult comedy classic.

Summary: Low-budget masterpiece