Film Review

09 January 2009 04:29 BST

Clerks II

Directed by Kevin Smith, out in cinemas now, starring Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, running time 97 minutes.

In a nutshell…

Fast paced, gutter-humoured, sequel.

What's it all about?

The opening sequence of the film brings us back to the ‘Quick Stop’ in which our heroes worked in Kevin Smith’s debut. Dante opens the store shutters only to find a raging fire within; Randal arrives on the scene much later and confirms that he caused it by leaving the coffee machine on.

We are then transported to the technicolour world of the fast-food emporium which Dante and Randal now work in, complete with the ubiquitous Jay and Silent Bob outside, a new nerdy co-worker on whom Randal is able to unleash all manner of diatribe, and the unlikeliest of manageress, Becky (Rosario Dawson).

Like the first film, the story revolves around a single day in one of the characters' lives. In Clerks II, it is Dante’s last day in New Jersey before he moves to Florida with his fiancé and Randal is determined to give him a roaring send off.

Who's in it?

Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson reprise their roles as the ultimate ‘slackers’, playing Dante Hicks and Randal Graves respectively. O’Halloran and Anderson have been playing the same roles on and off for over a decade but their characterisations retain a pleasing freshness.

The pair have been collaborating with Smith throughout the rest of the director’s films, and there are cameos here from Ben Affleck and Jason Lee who have also worked extensively with Smith.

Rosario Dawson is the revelation of the film, managing to add the romanticism to the abundant comedy, as well as a performance in which you believe.

As an example…

“One semester we took criminology for God's sake! Criminology! Who the f*** are we studying to be, Batman?” – Randal Graves

“I'm disgusted and repulsed and I can't look away.” – Becky Scott

Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

The film won the audience award at the Edinburgh Film Festival this summer, and while its opening weekend take at the US box office was disappointing, it may yet win something like an MTV award where devoted fans will carry the vote.

What the others say

“Outrageously gross, unashamedly sentimental and very, very funny.” Leigh Singer – Channel 4 Film Review

“There are some funny lines and truly outrageous set pieces.” Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian

“While the plot is as limp as week-old lettuce, the script mixes in some genuine laughs.” Anthony Gill – The Independent

So is it any good?

This is a film that those nostalgic for the original will certainly enjoy and it deserves to pick up some new fans along the way. The script is riotously funny and translates a passion for its subjects.

While the fast-food diner seems like a desert in comparison to the ‘Quick Stop’, the addition of the likeable uber-nerd, Elias, brings colour to the scene.

The feel of the sequel is altogether warmer and more mature than its predecessor and there is a tangible sense of closure to the final sequence. This is Smith returning to where it all began for one final hurrah; and you suspect that it signifies him moving towards a different stage in his film-making.

Like the ‘slackers’ in the film he’s grown up and ready to move on, but like Randal, he’s thrown quite a leaving party.

7/10

Dominic Beaumont

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