Review of Clerks

Kevin Smith is a fine director, and a brilliant writer. I've enjoyed all of his films. But this, his first, is the one that people almost always like the best. One of the funniest films of the 1990s, it has acquired true cult status. Anyone who's ever worked with the general public can appreciate the sad dilemmas of these two hapless, underpaid convenience-store clerks. Having done the job myself, I can attest that much of what goes on in this movie is not too far removed from real life. Even its crudeness and vulgarity add an element of realism. This is a shabby business. While many wince at its profanity, this is the way a great many young people actually talk. Smith's raunchy sense of humor fits perfectly into this setting. This film also shows why most convenience stores have NO public restrooms. This is one of the wildest, most uproarious, darkly comic scenes ever. Lastly, Clerks provides some keen insights, especially on the difficulties of finding oneself. Dante, the main character, really has a problem deciding what he wants to do with his life. Obviously, it should be something better than working here. He also needs to decide which girlfriend he desires (an enviable choice, but it would be an easy one for me). Randall, his sidekick, seems content with what he's doing -- even though he dislikes the customers. He just accepts the way things are. It's worth seeing at least several times.