Post by StevePulaski on May 26, 2011 18:25:15 GMT -5
Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and his current girlfriend Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) in Clerks.
Rating: ★★★★
I had to rewrite my review of Clerks for one reason; I have way more to say than last time. I really don't rewrite too many reviews because (a) I think it is better to review a movie, with it fresh in your mind and fairly recently after you saw it and (b) If it ain't broke don't fix it. If people aren't complaining that it is poorly written or makes no sense, then I don't rewrite it. My review of Clerks, written two years ago, needs to be deleted and started from scratch.
The people that truly appreciate Clerks in its entirety are people with an open mind, a sense of realism, and an appetite for a different side of cinema. Not people who expect constant humor, nudity, or any form of the comedy films that come out in present day. Clerks will not bring a regular person the type of satisfaction and laughter they would get if they turned on The Hangover this very second. It isn't that type of film.
The dialog is what truly makes this movie an absolute shocker and an absolute winner. The simple, yet cherished, character to character dialog as if they are real people and not actors. There doesn't even seem to be a script involved. Any Hollywood actor probably could not have played the part of Dante more believable than Brian O'Halloran himself. Literally stunning and without a doubt incredible to see a nobody at that time talk and have on screen conversations like a normal human being with the absence of a script.
The plot: Dante (O'Halloran) is a twenty-two year old, independent convenient store employee who is forced to work on his day off by his boss. Reluctantly he agrees to open the store, which he feels like he runs. Most of the day is spent socializing with his best friend Randal (Anderson) who works in a video store neighboring him.
The day's antics include an angry cigarette rally, idiotic customers, rude behavior to innocent patrons, a funeral, and hockey on the roof. Both Dante and Randal are unsuccessful socially and in their relationships. Dante finds out from an article in the paper that his ex girlfriend Caitlin (Spoonhauer) is marrying an Asain design major. Shocked and outraged because constantly talking to her she never brought this up, it adds to Dante's stress level as he tries to keep his current girlfriend Veronica (Ghigliotti, who I had the pleasure of meeting in 2010) happy.
It is normality and just another day in the View Askewniverse, which is why I adore Kevin Smith's film so much. They are basically focusing on regular guys who get themselves into quirky or hilarious situations unintentionally. The only Kevin Smith film I didn't like as much as his others was Zack and Miri Make a Porno most likely because it was different and not on par at all with Smith's previous work. I even called his negatively received film Jersey Girl "a work of heart." He really satisfies me on every level of filmmaking. Something no other director does to me.
Clerks also includes one of the most powerful and fitting soundtracks to any film. Motivated by Alice in Chains, Love Among Freaks, and Soul Asylum, Clerks manages to use most of its $27,000 budget on music rights rather than actors, who were all part of Smith's family or friends, and location.
It is truly amazing what can be accomplished with a small amount of money, two great leads, and a script that never fails. Never does a moment of Clerks seem boring or too long. No runtime for this film could make it too long. It is simply a film that has no rules and just wants to be a realistic film on behind the counter life. How often do we see a movie about cops, pimps, and drug lords? How often do we see a movie about behind-the-counter life?
Because of its oddball style, its premise, its actors, its fun, and everything else, Clerks stands as my favorite film.
Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Jason Mewes, and Kevin Smith. Directed by: Kevin Smith.