by Jay Hovey

Created on: November 08, 2009

The low budget, cult classic film Clerks written and produced by Kevin Smith is a great testament to how you don't need lots of money and world famous actors to make a great film. Smith, a film school drop-out, maxed out eight credit cards with $2,000 limits, sold a good number of his comic book collection, and spent a portion of his college education funds tom pay for his film. This was a bold move made by an "unknown" in the film industry, but was greatly rewarded for his sacrifice turning his $27,000 investment into a $3.2 million dollar hit and jump-starting his career in the entertainment business.

This is a great film that you should appreciate first hand and for that reason I am not going to tell you the whole plot and twists (that would just ruin the experience). However, I will say Clerks is a hilarious comedy depicting how even a small convenience store and video rental place can be a drama filled hell for its employees. Dante Hicks (played by Brian O'Halloran) and his friend Randal Graves (played by Jeff Anderson) show us how one day in the life of a clerk can be completely random, funny and even sad and miserable.

The R-rated black and white film cleverly mixes drama and comedy in an unimaginable way with soulful and love struck Dante and the witty yet realist Randal. With the comedic support of two stoner drug dealers Jay (played by Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith himself).

Smith with his impeccable comedic timing manages to keep you at the edge of your seat with magnificent dialogue that shows viewers how raw and uncut his characters are. Filled with foul language and armed with the realization of how meaningless his life is, Dante embarks on a journey to find something more out of life. While perfectly content with life the way it is Randal sticks by Dante's side displaying the complexity of his character and the simplicity of his friendship.

Clerks only falls short of perfect for technical reasons. At times the sound is of poor quality and some scenes are a little out of focus, but this overall has no real effect on the film or its viewing.

Clerks will keep you contemplating whether the contractors working on the Death Star became innocent victims during the climactic battle of the "Star Wars" saga and certain sexual practices while laughing the whole time and for hours afterwards.

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