CLERKS
Jack Choo Eng Aun
Directed by : Kevin Smith
Written by : Kevin Smith
Cast : Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Lisa Spoonhauer, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith (II)
Produced by: Miramax/View Askew Productions
Length : approx 90 mins
Rating: **** out of *****
Theatres: The Picturehouse
Rating: **1/2 out of *****
Theatres: Lido, Jurong.
PERFECT FILM FOR THE MTV GENERATION
Shot using 16mm black and white film (normally movies use 35mm) in number of locations that can be easily accounted for using fingers from one hand, CLERKS is indeed a maverick attempt at film-making. The production quality reveals itself rather painfully through its not-so-good-quality editing, acting and grainy picture quality. However, as soon as the dialogue begins the viewer will be convinced that he/she is in for a really wild and fun time, not to mention the S$8 well spent!
The setting is simple, two main characters; Dante (Halloran) and Randal (Anderson) each working as a clerk in a side by side convenience store block; in a grocery's store and a video rental store respectively. There are the best of friends but their individual personalities are undoubtedly worlds apart. The fun begins when they start interacting with people who visits their stores (who are all of the un-normal kind) and also when they have really pointless discussions (there are many) such as the hilarious RETURN OF THE JEDI conversation that got me laughing out loud in the theater. It goes on and on, the flow of witty and hilarious dialogue never ceased until the credits rolled.
Now, I said that this is the perfect film for the MTV generation because if you bring your kid brother or father along, chances are, they will curse you for bringing them into a movie with production values that stank to high heavens. The dialogue is the whole backbone of the movie; teenagers and twenty(or thirty)-somethings can easily identify with the topics in which the witty dialogue delves in, thus making CLERKS an exclusive production for our generation! Never have I seen such an unpolished movie work so much better than most polished productions. Director Kevin Smith has brought his movie above the low quality filmwork and editing to heights where even the most ambitious of productions will find difficulty in reaching.
CLERKS is hilarious, current, alternative and definitely refreshing. If think PULP FICTION had the funniest and coolest dialogues, CLERKS will change that! Highly recommended.
THE FLYING INKPOT'S RATING SYSTEM:
* Wait for the video.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
Jack Choo is a regular movie reviewer at nus.rec.entertainment.
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