If this truly is the final chapter of Kevin Smith’s Jersey Saga, then that’s fine with me. Writer/Director/Actor Kevin Smith has crafted a truly touching (yet hilarious and raunchy) send off of the four characters that started it all: Dante (Brian O’Halloran), Randall (Jeff Anderson), Jay (Jason Mewes), and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith).
But that’s not all, Rosario Dawson is also on hand as Becky, Dante’s boss (and possible love interest). Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of her work. She did a great job in “Sin City”, but beyond that, I’d have trouble naming any of her other films (not to mention that I’d usually have no interest). However, she was simply amazing in “Clerks II”. I fell in love with her (almost from the start) as a take-no-crap, down-to-earth, charming, girl-next-door.
Naturally, Kevin Smith’s friends: Ben Affleck, Scott Mosier, & Jason Lee all made appearances. And I, for one, enjoyed seeing them all one last time in this place called “New Jersey”.
The film takes place about 12 years after the events of “Clerks” and Dante & Randall are now working at the perennial fast food staple of the View Askewniverse: Mooby’s. Of course they’re not happy where they are. But due to the fact that the Quick Stop burned down a year (or so) ago, they really don’t have any other place to work that would put up with their (Randall’s) shenanigans. Add a recently rehabilitated (yet still drug-dealing) Jay & Silent Bob into the mix and you have the potential for comedic gold (this aspect was a cool tip of the hat to Jason Mewes’ own sobriety). And this film completely lives up to that potential. Which is kind of ironic considering the storyline of the film.
This film began and ended much like the original “Clerks” movie: with black and white film. But unlike the original, this one was in color after the first 30 seconds and is stayed that way until the last 30 seconds. While it was brief, it was a nice touch that gave the film a sentimental feel.
Of course, just because a film has sentimentality doesn’t mean that it’s for all ages. It earned its “R” rating. There’s so much profanity during some scenes that I felt like I was at a convention for Tourette’s Syndrome. And the much-discussed “Donkey scene” was hilarious in a disturbing way (but thankfully nothing was shown, except the audiences’ reactions). Thankfully, these didn’t detract from the story too much.
As for the narrative itself, it works. You’ve got Dante & Randall trying to deal with some interpersonal issues and with a little help from Jay and Silent Bob, they manage to work through them. Dante finally figures out what he wants in life and goes after it. Randall finally comes clean with his best friend and lays it on the line. And Anderson really sells you on what he’s saying. But O’Halloran is no slouch in the acting department either. I felt like this film (more than any other in the Jersey saga) really gave these two actors the opportunity to shine. They turned Dante & Randall from two-note characters into real, three-dimensional people. But as good as they were, Kevin Smith’s writing can’t be overlooked. The story feels personal. Very personal. Like he’s saying something, not only about Dante & Randall, but also about himself and what he thinks about this world and his place in it. I don’t know, I could be getting too metaphysical, but that’s how I saw it.
“Clerks II” really worked for me. I’ll definitely be adding this one to my DVD collection when it comes out. It’s a great story with a lot of great geek-culture humor and more than a few surprises. If you’re a fan of the Jersey Saga (or Kevin Smith), you owe it to yourself to see this film. Smith delivers the goods and concludes his saga in a manner that’s both hilarious as heck and absolutely appropriate.
