'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!
Tags:
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