There were a couple of moments during Clerks II, and one in particular, where I became a little teary eyed, and at times I experienced moments that were side-achingly funny as well. There were also a number of moments where I saw my own life on the screen, and totally identified with the characters; I was utterly shocked by all of the emotions this film elicited from me. A couple of years ago, I purged myself of Kevin Smith – I sold all of my Kevin Smith films as a kind of personal statement. At one time I considered Chasing Amy to be one of the all time great films – I saw it seven times in the theatre – but I have since found that Smith’s use of sexually charged cursing and his reliance on dick and fart jokes to be a bad habit that often gets in the way of the stories he wants to tell. I can still appreciate the good moments in his films - the relationship between Banky and Holden in Amy is masterfully written, and some of the theological questions asked in Dogma are brave for such a pop-art film to ask – but all in all, I was done with Smith as a director.
Clerks II may have brought me back, at least part way. The film tapped into a part of me that was full of nostalgia for the original film, and when it opened with black and white footage of Dante arriving at the Quick Stop, I sat back with a smile of appreciation on my face. Once the film burst into color, I then noticed the look on Dante’s face, and the way Randall had changed. Both characters looked older, a bit heavier, and both had a bit of sadness in their eyes. As the film progressed, Smith showed us that these characters are in fact more than their slacker facades reveal; they are more than just walking encyclopedias of trivial geek knowledge, and they both show signs of regret, and strength for not conforming to the world’s definition of success.
The film was also drop dead hilarious and well directed, even if Smith still wallows neck deep in juvenile swearing and scenarios, and has not progressed much as a visual storyteller. Some of the highlights include Randall’s taking back of a racially charge slur, a hilarious dissection of the two holy trilogies, a troll that lives in a very special place, and of course Jay and Silent Bob’s (sober) stoner antics – pay especially close attention for the Silence of the Lambs tribute. The film is shot in a very simplistic manner that neither gets in the way of the film, nor does it strengthen the film – it seems as though Smith is comfortable in his indie roots, and this is where he has cast his anchor. I do however prefer the look of this film to the more polished looks of Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, in that I think it represents the style of the story Smith is telling.
However, as funny as the film is, what I find myself remembering most are the dramatic and serious moments. This film actually touched me – in a total platonic way mind you. I actually found myself relating to Dante and Randall’s problems, especially as I am quickly approaching the characters’ age. I often ask myself the same questions they did, and I too feel that I may have wasted away my twenties, although I also generally shy away from what our society defines as success. During my early twenties, I walked away from Chasing Amy with admiration for Smith, and his characters. That admiration all but vanished during the last ten years, but now, in my early thirties, I can feel the appreciation coming back. Clerks II is simply a great film, and one that is equally as funny as it is touching – and as sappy as it sounds, Randall and Dante almost made me cry.
