Masterpiece Cinema - Mallrats

'Mallrats

Starring Jason Lee, Jeremy London, Shannen Doherty, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith.

Written & Directed by Kevin Smith.

Genre: Comedy

Released: 1995

Running time: 94 mins.

Rated: R (US rating)

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113749/

When critics discuss Kevin Smiths films, they tend to skip over Mallrats. If they do mention it, its usually in a fairly derisive manner; its the black sheep of the family.

It's pretty easy to see why this is the case. Unlike Smiths other films, it doesnt offer any kind of real insight into its characters. It doesn't have all that much to say on the nature of the modern human condition. Visually, its flat. Smith goes beyond just pointing and shooting here; its like hes directing a play or worse, a sitcom and everything is shot two-dimensionally. The music is cheesy, the story is weak, and basically, it has no depth.

But tha'ts the point.

For his first studio film the follow-up to his hugely successful independent debut, Clerks Kevin Smith decided he wanted to pay tribute to the films that hed loved when he was a teenager. Specifically, the work of writer/director John Hughes, and his 80s teen films The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, etc.

But somewhere along the line, Smith tribute to the films of his youth fell flat. The result was a film that critics hated and that audiences just didn bother to go see. It was such a failure that Universal wouldnt touch him again afterwards, and Smith had to demonstrate once again that he could make a film with which people could connect (which he did with his follow-up, Chasing Amy).

So why am I recommending Mallrats? Well, it's goddamn hilarious. And the guy that really saves it is Jason Lee, a former professional skateboarder who would soon become a member of Kevin Smiths stable of actors. Lee is absolutely, speel-burstingly funny in his role of Brodie Bruce, a comic-book-obsessed slacker whose girlfriend has just dumped him. Almost every single memorable line in the film is delivered by Lee, and is delivered perfectly.

Of course, at the other end of the spectrum you have Jeremy London. Jeremy Londons twin brother Jason is a fine actor and was fantastic in 70s stoner comedy Dazed & Confused. But all the talent in the family must have gone to Jason, because Jeremy is just painful to watch, with his stilted delivery and uncomfortable body language and thats ignoring how utterly obnoxious and self-righteous his character is.

Okay; I need to take a deep breath and readjust. To keep it simple for you: Mallrats is a movie I love despite its flaws. And its not like Jason Lees the only funny one in the ensemble (at least, when you discount London). Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith both take on the mutual roles of Jay and Silent Bob, characters theyve played across five films (six now that its been announced that theres going to be a sequel to Clerks). Shannen Doherty is surprisingly good in her part as Jason Lees long-suffering girlfriend, Rene, and Ben Affleck is fantastic as the guy who has a nefarious plan to nail Brodies girlfriend in a very uncomfortable place (this is the part where people who have seen the movie reply with the line, What, like in the back of a Volkswagen?).

So if you're after a crude comedy thats fairly easy to get into, and does its best to adhere to the spirit of 1980s Bratpack films, I highly recommend Mallrats. And remember: adventure? excitement? A Jedi craves not these things the reference makes sense if you see the movie. I swear.

Next week: Something highbrow. Maybe. I dont know! Leave me alone!

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