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Clerks
II
(2006)
Lewd, crude, rude, and true to Kevin Smith's
original, Clerks II is the funniest film I've seen
in a long time. Also one of the best films I've seen thus far
into 2006.
The original Clerks was a day in the life of twentysomething
slacker convenience store clerks Randal (Jeff Anderson) and
Dante (Brian O'Halloran.) This film opens eleven years later
after Randal accidentally burns down their store, forcing the
pair to begin careers at Smith's recurring fast food
chain, Mooby's. One year later, it's Dante's last day on
the job before he moves to Florida with his wealthy fiancee
(Smith's wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith,) trading in slackerdom
for responsibility. Before the day is over, though, everything
will change.
Somehow I've never seen the original Clerks (I'll have to remedy
this at the earliest opportunity), although I've enjoyed some
of writer/director Kevin Smith's other films, such as
Mallrats and Dogma. This film is so good that I'll have to
watch the original. Smith's script doesn't take a single wrong
step as it details another day in the life of two friends.
Underneath all the comedy, this is really a film about friendships
and being true to yourself and your friends. No one will ever
mistake Smith for Orson Welles, but as a director he has a
great touch for this style of comedy and deftly gets to the
core of his characters in his scripts.
Jeff Anderson and Brian O'Halloran reprise their roles as Randal
and Dante seemingly without a year between the two films.
O'Halloran has the more complex role, his character having
several personal conflicts to resolve. Both actors deliver
hilarious performances and their characters' friendship
shines through in every scene. Trevor Fuhrman is hilarious
as Elias, their geeky, teenaged, Christian
co-worker. Rosario Dawson adds a multifaceted performance as
Becky, the Mooby's manager who also close relationship with
Dante. Kevin Weisman has a very funny scene as Lord of
the Rings fan who argues with Star Wars nut Randal
about which franchise is better in what is, without a doubt,
one of the funniest bits in the film. Jason Lee and Ben Affleck
have cameo roles as they so often do in Smith's many New Jersey-set
films. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith once again add much comedic
value as drug dealers Jay and Silent Bob though the characters
should have worn out their welcome by now.
Despite it's great comedic and character elements, Clerks
II is not for everyone. If the mere idea of a donkey getting
a blowjob offends you, avoid this film at all costs, or like
critic Joel Siegel, you may be forced to walk out of the film
loudly complaining about how offensive it is. If your sense
of humor is compatible with Kevin Smith's you'll laugh long
and hard, especially about the donkey getting a blowjob. I
rarely rank a comedy among the best films in any given year,
but this film will be a definite exception. Highly recommended,
interspecies erotica scenes and all.
-Danielle
Ní Dhighe
Other
Thoughts: Mark Moreland
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Kevin
Smith
Writer: Kevin
Smith
Starring: Brian
O'Halloran,
Distributor: MGM
Runtime: 97
min
Rating: R
Release Date: July
21, 2006
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