Before Kevin Smith became a Hollywood darling with Chasing Amy, a film he wrote and directed, he made this $27,000 comedy about real-life experiences working for chump change at a New Jersey convenience store. A rude, foul... more »-mouthed collection of anecdotes about the responsibilities that go with being on the wrong side of the till, the film is also a relationship story that takes some hilarious turns once the lovers start revealing their sexual histories to one another. In the best tradition of first-time, ultra-low budget independent films, Smith uses Clerks as an audition piece, demonstrating that he not only can handle two-character comedy but also has an eye for action--as proven in a smoothly handled rooftop hockey scene. Smith himself appears as a silent figure who hangs out on the fringes of the store's property. --Tom Keogh« less
Actors:Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson Genres:Comedy Sub-Genres:Kevin Smith Studio:Miramax Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 06/29/1999 Original Release Date: 10/19/1994 Theatrical Release Date: 10/19/1994 Release Year: 1999 Run Time: 1hr 32min Screens: Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 8 Members Wishing: 0 Edition: Collector's Edition MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Languages:English See Also:
Samantha T. (sadiebug) from W PORTSMOUTH, OH Reviewed on 8/23/2010...
Absolutely hated it.
1 of 14 member(s) found this review helpful.
Samantha B. (brown0187) from WASILLA, AK Reviewed on 1/7/2010...
A must see if you work with people. As a waitress I truly loved this movie!!
4 of 7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Suzanne B. Reviewed on 5/31/2009...
Black & white, crude, amateurish....but maybe that's what people love about this cult fave. As for me, I fell asleep.
2 of 8 member(s) found this review helpful.
Heather F. (8izenuff) from PHOENIX, AZ Reviewed on 2/2/2009...
I saw this movie after I had saw Dogma and Chasing AMY. Before that I wasnt aware of Kevin Smith. I liked Dogma, I thought it was creative. Chasing Amy was good in a crash chick flick kinda movie. So I had to see Clerks. It has some pretty graphic sexual talk, but if you are an adult and over the age of 18 (21 in some states), you will see the sheer genius of this movie. I didnt care for Mall Rats or Clerks II so I hope that helps you see where this movie falls in the scheme of great movies.
6 of 8 member(s) found this review helpful.
Alice H. (singlegalkansas) from TOPEKA, KS Reviewed on 1/20/2009...
GREAT MOVIE!! Dirty comedy but worth it!
2 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Len S. Reviewed on 12/20/2007...
If you are offended by profanity in movies, this DVD is not for you.
If you sleep through dialogue and wake up for car chases, this DVD is not for you.
If you are offended by the notion that those that serve you talk bad about you as soon as leave, again, not your cup-o-tea.
Now, if you haven't been eliminated thus far, order this DVD without delay. Kevin Smith truly captured magic in a bottle when he made his first movie starring his high school buddies, a couple of local community theatre actors, a couple of family members and a few customers of the Quick-stop convenience store that serves as the set for 95% of the movie. Smith actually worked as a clerk at Quick-stop by day, and filmed and edited his movie there by night.
This is a movie inundated with intelligent, witty conversations often delivered at rapid-fire pace. Just when you think its getting artsy and uppity, cut to Jay hawking his "wares" to locals or busting a hilarious dance move.
Stealing the show is Jeff Anderson, playing Randal, a wise-cracking video clerk that works next door. Smith wrote the role of Randal for himself, later deciding it would be easier to memorize the lines of another character, Silent Bob.
The entire movie takes place over one day at the store and covers topics like annoying customers (no, not the cat named by Randal), infidelity, true friendship and whether innocent contractors died in one of the Star Wars flicks.
The film is shot in black & white because its all Smith could afford at the time. He rung up some $27,000 on several credit cards to make the movie, taking the chance that it would go nowhere and he would just now be paying those cards off. Well, it indeed went places... IFFN, Sundance, Miramax and finally into the hearts of an ever-growing cult of Kevin Smith fans.
If you've gotten this far and you don't wind up liking this movie, you're either a milk maid, a guidance counselor or a gum salesman. You'll have to watch Clerks to find out what I mean...
9 of 9 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Classic
Dallas Winters | Maryland | 07/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this movie with a passion, I consider this to be the best Kevin Smith movie ever. The dialogue is amazing and he creates such interesting relationships between the characters with conversation. If you have seen any other movie Kevin Smith has written and directed and haven't seen this then you have got to buy this so you can understand the entire series."