I will always remember the first time I saw this movie. I was at Woodstock in 1994. It was late and there was a huge sheet drawn up on the side of the stage. Next thing I know I look up and they are playing this movie. I fell in love instantly. It felt gritty and like nothing I had ever seen before. It was my generation, the people I was surrounded by, and people just like me and my friends, up there on the really "big screen"!
When I got back home to Cincinnati, I had to find out as much as I could about this movie, who made it, and how I could get more! This was before the days of the internet, so I had to rely on magazines to get this info. It took forever! Eventually, I think in a copy of Spin or Rolling Stone, I found the name....Kevin Smith. I read about how he had taken out a bunch of credit cards and borrowed as much money as he could to make his movie. This guy was completely inspiring, and, like me, a chubby bearded guy with obvious issues. He cast his friends and filmed in the actual store he worked.
I loved the dialog in this movie. The constant banter between Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) was so fun and quick witted. Randal quickly became my movie icon! He was rude, and intelligent! He didn't really care if he offended anyone and always spoke his truth. This may not have been the best person for me to idolize?
Anyway, enough praising. The movie follows Dante Hicks, a lovable pushover who would rather sleep in the closet instead of making his dog get off of the bed. Anyway, Dante has a dilemma, he is currently dating Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) and has been talking extensively on the phone with ex-girlfreind, Caitlin (Lisa Spoonauer). The phone conversations have left Dante believing that there may be a chance to rekindle their relationship, until Randal exposes Caitlin's wedding announcement in the local newspaper. Everything seems to be going wrong for Dante, being stuck at work, on a day that he wasn't even supposed to be there.
Now, while Veronica is loyal and faithful, even bringing Dante lasagna for lunch, Dante pines over the love/infatuation he had with Caitlin. This is exacerbated when Veronica and Dante have a conversation regarding past sexual partners. Veronica a very small number of sexual partners while Dante has had many more. A short while later, a customer, Willam (Scott Mosier) enters and recognizes Veronica. He exits and Dante inquires on how Veronica knows him. She tells Dante that they call him "Snowball" due to a specific sexual act he enjoys. Thus causes the argument on whether or not oral sex is the same as intercourse. While Veronica has only had a limited number of intercourse partners, she has obviously had a lot of oral partners. 36!!! 37 if you include Dante.
That was one of the funniest on screen interactions I've ever witnessed. Such brilliant writing and honest delivery by both actors. This is what the entire film was, writing and delivery that were honestly top shelf. You can obviously tell that this was a very low budget movie, but that didn't stop Smith from delivering. I believe this is the film, and the man, that gave birth to the "Indie" films we are blessed with today.
In addition to all of that, we are also introduced to one of the greatest comedic duos in history, Jay and Silent Bob!!! Jason Mewes brings to life the role of Jay. He's a stoner with possible ADHD disorder, who is super hyper and equally as crude. Silent bob is played by the man himself, Kevin Smith. Bob is a quiet guy that gives the feeling that he is always in deep thought, or just really high. The legend is that the role of Jay was just Jason being himself. Which I find disturbingly hilarious!
Eventually, Caitlin makes an appearance at the Quick Stop to visit Dante and explain the wedding announcement as being published by her wishful mother. Thus, she and Dante make a date arrangement for later that evening. Finally things are staring to look up for our hero. While Dante leaves to prepare, Caitlin arrives and is greeted by Randal. Now, while Randal works at the video store next to the Quick Stop, he is not the best person to leave in charge of a store; seeing as he has already sold cigarettes to a four year old. Caitlin asks to use the bathroom and is warned that the lights are broken. She decides to take the risk and exits stage left.
Almost immediately, Dante returns and continues his conversation with Randal. Next we see Caitlin exiting the restroom looking completely disheveled and smiling. Seems that in her confusion, she found someone in the darkened bathroom and thought it to be Dante. Instead we find that it was the corpse of an earlier customer having had a heart attack while masturbating in the restroom. The realization of which sends Caitlin into a catatonic state and she is whisked away in an ambulance.
The end leaves Silent Bob delivering his lone line to Dante, "You know, there's a million fine looking women in the world dude. But they don't all bring you lasagna at work. Most of them just cheat on you." Poetic! Philosophic!
While this movie is hilarious, there are some rather crude jokes that would keep me from recommending for someone under 13. That being said, I think most 13 year olds would absolutely love this!
The movies that Kevin Smith has put out have changed my life. Really. They have made me realize that it's ok to be a geek. That sometimes the good guy does win. They have opened my eyes to issues I used to not think about, and has given me an understanding I may not have had otherwise. And they have taught me that I can be myself, the glorious asshole that I am. Thanks Kevin, and please never stop making your fantastic films. Even if they are like Tusk or Yoga Hosers!!
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