Movie review: Clerks

Clerks follows a day in the life of Dante and Randal, two convenience store clerks. Hockey on the store roof, intellectual discussions about movies and life, and lack of motivation enhanced with weed and boredom are all on tap in this black-and-white Kevin Smith film.

Brian O'Halloran (Dante), Jeff Anderson (Randal), Marilyn Ghigliotti (Veronica), Lisa Spoonauer (Caitlin), Jason Mewes (Jay), Kevin Smith (Silent Bob), Scott Mosier (Willam), Scott Schiaffo (Chewlies), Al Berkowitz (Old Man).

Clerks is a ridiculously ironic adventure from Kevin Smith that launched Jay and Silent Bob into the public eye. Filmed in black-and-white, the humor is as dry as the acting at times but remains silly and fun. The soundtrack is very entertaining and rumors are that it cost more than the actual film. Now a cult classic, watch for the 80's references or to see the birth of Jay and Silent Bob.

Acting was amusing if not good. O'Halloran, and most everyone aside from Mewes possibly, were fairly dry and lacking animation. Anderson was an amusing straight-man with dry delivery of humor from an intellectual position. While there is a lot of inexperience in this film, it worked with the humor and theme.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds seem to be lacking on the surface but looking at production cost and experience behind the film, they are actually pretty good. Dialogue is campy, corny, dry, and infrequently hysterical. Sound is a bit rough, but the soundtrack is quite enjoyable.

Clerks may be showing some age but as a cult classic it lives on. Kevin Smith fans should definitely give this one a watch if they haven't seen it yet.

With some fairly extensive foul language, violence, and sexuality save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 1994
Reviewed: 1.21.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Cult Classics

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