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Dancing_P [ 8.0 ]
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A cult classic among Generation X, Kevin Smith's debut film is typical of many debut films: low-budget, low-key, uneven acting, filled with a desire to cram way too much stuff into one film... but it's so damn funny and well-written that it has more lasting power than, say, Aronofsky's Pi. The film follows a day in the life of Dante, a 22-year-old guy who works as a clerk in a convenience store. Called in on his off-day, Dante must face the usual array of customers, as well as choose between his girlfriend and his ex, visit the wake of a dead friend, play a hockey game and deal with the constant annoyance of his friend Randal, who spends more time goofing off with Dante than working at the next-door video store. It's black-and-white, very low-budget, forcing the film to rely on its script and dialogue... but what a script it is! I've always entertained the notion that Smith is a much better writer than he is a director, and Clerks is probably the best example of this. The script does tend to want to cram too much in (a tendency that first-time directors often have; they may never direct again, so this is their one chance to get this great idea in a movie) which leads to scenes like Silent Bob's cousin Olaf (which, while hilarious, is totally and utterly pointless). The acting is a bit uneven, but considering that most actors made their debut in this film and barely worked after, it's still a decent job. I'm not a huge fan of Smith, but this is undeniably entertaining stuff.
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kcremer [ 8.0 ]
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This one put Kevin Smith on the map. Can you believe this movie's budget was only $27,000, and yet Smith was still able to create a funny, intelligent and well-acted movie? You've got to respect that.
The movie, for those of you who haven't seen it, is a day in the life of two (sort of) friends. One works at a convenience store, and generally tries to enjoy his job (although he is constantly complaining about how much he hates it). The other works at a video store across the street, and not only hates his job also, but makes that fact very clear to pretty much every customer who talks to him (consider his reaction when a mother approaches him, asking if the store carries a certain children's video).
We also meet the infamous pot-selling and smoking Jay and Silent Bob for the first time. Jay, played by Jason Mewes, is the funniest character in any of Smith's movies, and Smith plays Bob, who doesn't talk much (hence the name). Smith stated in an interview that he makes his character silent because he doesn't like to memorize lines.
This film will prove to be especially entertaining to anyone who has ever had to work at a job similar to the ones held by the two friends. There is more talking than action in the movie, but I didn't care. Besides, what else can you do with a budget like Smith had?
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Jeff_Wilder [ 9.0 ]
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Clerk is a great example of how ot make a low-budget movie. Sure the acting is wooden, the production values amateurish. But teh characters and dialogue are done well enough to keep one engaged throughout the movie. Kevin Smith may not be the most dynamic director. But he films this so it doesn't come off like a play on film. Wonderfully raunchy and much hilarious dialogue.
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babyduck [ 9.5 ]
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Kevin Smith's debut into the filmmaking world cost some $25,000 to make but is much much funnier than Hollywood has produced in a long long time. Excellent dialogue combined with a dark cynical view on life makes this a definite see it NOW.
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elliot [ 8.0 ]
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Probably the best of the Kevin Smith films, along with Chasing
Amy. Shows how something seemingly mundane (a day in the life
of a convenience store clerk) can be full of twists and turns
and witty dialogue.
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JD [ 0.0 ]
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Horrendously stupid film about a bunch of convenience store JERKS, I mean CLERKS who do nothing but run on the roof like a bunch of losers and...who the fuck knows what else? This is brutal.
Astrosheil, don't worry...you didn't miss a thing. You made a wise choice shutting this off.
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| Weighted Rating | : 6.8 |
| No. Ratings | : 73 | |
| No. Reviews | : 14 | |
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