Clerks Reviews

Classic Cult Comedy

The first of the Kevin Smith movies (followed by Mallrats, Chasing Amy etc) it was understandably low budget (hence the black and white) but that should not take away from what is a brillant script and the introduction of Jay and Silent Bob into the world.

Basic plot: The things that happen to a convenience store clerk on the day that he's not even meant to be there.

Not one for the kiddies (rather adult humour in it) but quick whitty script will make it thoughly enjoyable for anyone who has ever worked in customer service.

Vulgarity at

Clerks was the film that announced the arrival of Kevin Smith on the film scene, filled with some of the best dialogue and brilliant humour you have ever seen committed to film, clerks is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Made in 1994 for a Micro Budget of 27 thousand dollars which was raised by lying about his employment status to Credit Card companies then maxing out the cards they sent him, it was huge risk for the New Jersey Convenience store worker, but a risk that paid off with the film being shown at the Sundance film festival then being picked up by Harvey Weinstein at Miramax, although the film was only bought for 227 thousand Dollars it was the foot in the door that Smith needed to get his career off the ground. He has now made 6 pictures in all along with best friend and producer Scott Moiser who he met while at Film school in Vancouver prior to the filming of clerks. All of Smith?s films share the same humour as Clerks as well as many of the same cast in many cases. Although the film is in black and white it adds to the feel of the movie and is no way a bad thing. Smith has often said the look of the film helped make it as popular as it is, making everyone who watches feel as though they have discovered it. If you like Star Wars, foul language or just are looking for a good Laugh this is the film for you. Snootch 2 the Nootch!!

Clerk's is for dedicated Kevin Smith Fans

Clerks is good if you like Kevin Smith. Shows early development of Characters such as Jay and Silent Bob. The story is kind of slow but still funny. Stick with it. Its a low budget film that is shot in Black and White just so you know! All in all a film worth watching if you haven't seen Kevins later films or are a die hard fan or got nothing better to do!

jay and bob at there best

i love this film to bits ! the best kevin smith film just ahead of dogma(which like 'jay and silent bob strike back' is more mainstream cinema).clerks has a very raw independent feel to it,not much of a plot ,apart from 'the chaotic events in the day of a shop clerk'.

a cult classic ,up there with napoleon dynamite ,man bites dog and le hane.

just like marmite though ,it may not be to everyones taste.

Kevin Smith Gets it Right First Time

This is the First of the Kevin Smith "New Jersey Trilogy" (along with Mallrats and Chasing Amy) and the first film to feature Jay and Silent Bob.

Finally released on Region 2 DVD!!

Produced on a shoe-string and filmed in the store at night. The unfolding story of the two store clerks over the period of a day are simply superb, including abusing customers, fights, hockey matches and excellent dialouge. Get this if you the rest of his work!

Unpleasant

Crass, monosyllabic, puerile, and tedious. We knew already that such people existed, but to make them watchable we need to be told more than that. This film neither explores its characters' motivations nor offers possibilities for their development, so it's just meaninglessly awful.

Difficult at first, but worth it

Before I begin with my review of 'Clerks', I should point out that I am no stranger to the works of Kevin Smith...in fact I am a huge fan. I believe that this could bias my review somewhat, but I will try to be as impartial as possible. Clerks has all the foundations of a typical Kevin Smith film - a tight script based on pop culture delivered by fast talking characters that you feel endeared to but do not necessarily like. It tells the tale of a day in the life of 2 shop assistants and includes minor sub plots about their sex/love lives, run-ins with the law and a variety of other trivial matters. However the major intention is to invite you into their lives for a day...and with that it succeeds perfectly. Its a great deal more difficult to watch than most Kevin Smith films, mainly because of its low budget and the acting sometimes come across as extremely amateurish...which is no surprise as it was the big screen debut of almost every actor in the film. But the script more than makes up for its shortfalls. This was the first film to feature the now legendary 'Jay and Silent Bob' (Silent Bob of course being Kevin Smith's alter-ego)...and you can see how the cult duo originally captured the attention of the masses. Its a great film on many levels and a shoddy mess on many more. I would say that if you are a Kevin Smith fan, you *must* see this film - however, if you are new to Smith you may find it easier to watch some of his more accessible work first (Mallrats & Dogma especially) before attempting this one. The film captures a moment in time that I feel is now sadly lost to most - the post-grunge feel is mostly going to appeal on a nostalgic level to those that experienced the scene at the time ...and the soundtrack reflects this with pure gusto. Overall this is a great film, but obviously a debut. Its a must see for all Kevin Smith fans, but others may find it hard. Definitely worth watching for the script alone, but do not expect quality acting prowess. This is a cult film in every manner of the word.

Low Budget / Great Return

The first in Kevin Smith's Jersey movies deserves an audience far greater than it ever gained. Granted, a lot of people have seen it and very few viewers fail to recommend it to friends, but even just for the pure joy of the script, it'll never be enough. Yes it's cheap and more than a little shakey in places. Yes it's foul mouthed in a way that would make a long shoreman blush, but it's funny as hell and Kevin Smith is the reason I watch movies, a film fan, not unlike Mr Taranteno, that made a movie of his own and got it exactly right. The characters are both warm and abhorrent. The script is both hilarious and shocking. Watch, laugh until you ache, give it an hour and then watch it again if just to prove that yes they really did say that. Then rent every other Kevin Smith film, because you will become a fan and you'll be in on a select group.

[Highly rated reviewer]

The best a man can get

I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of praise for this razor sharp, witty film. The dialogues are truly excellent. Clerks is also a joyous film. Those clever student jokers, having a laugh at work, by the bar or in a caff, have fixed the good times forever in film (see the smiles on their mates' faces as they hammer at the store door). This is a bloke-bonding film about how we men get on and how we regard the ladies. The battle of the sexes has never been such fun! The ball's in your court now, girls…

Conveniently enjoyable

A film with little movement but of great enjoyment.

The quality of the script means you hardly ever have to leave the convenience store.