Clerks
Imagine going to place where the people around you treat you like you are stupid, lazy and worthless. Have you imagined it? Well, you have just imagined life in retail or the service industry. Life in retail can be hard; you’re called in when it’s supposed to be your day off, you’re forced to interact when you don’t want to be and for a minimum pay, you’re cleaning up after everyone else’s mess. If you think the guys in Office Space have it hard, then that is nothing compared to the people in Clerks; Kevin Smith’s first movie and perhaps the biggest indie hit ever.
Clerks revolves around 22 Year old Dante and his life in a convenience store. Shot in black and white at the store Kevin Smith used to work in, Clerks revolves around a typical day for Dante and his friend Randall, who works across in the VCR shop nearby. Dante is disgruntled by his circumstance has a series of unfortunate events happen to him which leads him to close the store on several occasions. Including a cheating ex-girlfriend, a current girlfriend, the death of an old flame and a runaway boss, Dante’s life seems to go from bad to worse. Clerks is the ultimate re-evaluation of Dante’s life.
Clerks is by far one of the most successful independent movies of all time and launched Kevin Smith into success. This hilariously witty movie set in motion Smith’s directorial and writing career in a place called View Askewinverse. Classic movies have since followed including Mallrats and Dogma. But it is Clerks that really brings home the classic Kevin Smith style. Here is a great comedy where the characters feel more real because they talk about inane trivial stuff as well as mirroring a procrastinating nature and lay about ways. But instead of hours of talking, Kevin Smith slices it with hilarity and brings you unforgettable characters such as the notorious Jay and Silent Bob.
There were original plans for two scenes that were cut for different reasons. Although touched upon, Julie’s memorial was supposed to be a full detailed scene. But the complications of that scene meant that it was more expensive then surveillance cameras and one set. It was later released as a cartoon scene for the tenth edition. The other scene was the ending, as a similar homage to the conversation about Return of the Jedi (“ending on a downer,”) Dante was actually supposed to be shot by robbers. But Smith’s mentors convinced him otherwise, feeling it detracts from the film. Instead, the ending is woefully bitter and it is just wonderful.
What is brilliant about Clerks is that, although it is now considered a cult classic and grossed $3 million worldwide, Kevin Smith made this movie on just $27, 575. Now while stars these days are demanding people fund their £2 million inevitable rubbish quirky film, Kevin Smith did all he could to fund the project. He sold part of his extensive comic book collection, maxed out credit cards, used college funds and insurance money. The movie was filmed in 21 days and the set was where Smith was working at the time; he’d work during the day and film during night, sleeping an hour at most. He used family members and friends to star, and put his heart and soul into it.
Why am I telling you this? Because, while Clerks is a well written and classic comedy, it is also a lesson. If you put your heart and soul into a project, good things will happen. And while you may be reading this, thinking about the job you hate, you should take away from Clerks that you shouldn’t settle. There are lots of ways to get to where you want to be, Smith did it and look at where he is now; a highly influential and brilliant writer/director.
Keep dreaming, keep trying and all you filmmakers out there; stay open.
TTFN
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