What is a good low-budget film? A film stripped to the intelligence of its makers and the talents of its actors. Clerks is that and more. Filmed in black-and-white and at the convenience store where its director Kevin Smith worked in real life, it’s a hilarious slice-of-life story about two slackers working in minimum wage jobs and their customers added to the news of an ex-girlfriend passing away. It would be a must-watch because of how unique it is, and how it pulls of everything it reaches for, but it’s also hilarious, and a very touching effort.
"With no narrative per se and nothing holding it together except unity of time and place, it's surprising that "Clerks" plays as well, and consistently, as it does, with very little down time."
— Todd McCarthy
Convenience and video store clerks Dante and Randal are sharp-witted, potty-mouthed and bored out of their minds. So in between needling customers, the counter jockeys play hockey on the roof, visit a funeral home and deal with their love lives.
Cannes
2 wins, 1 nomination
Spirit Awards
3 nominations
Sundance
1 win
NYFCC
1 nomination
This movie is one of my favorites, the dialogue is natural and very funny and the characters of Jay and Silent Bob are the perfect foils for Dante and Randall.