I post this as a nod to, the legends that are, Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson...Dante and Randal in Kevin Smith's seminal slackerfest "Clerks". Armed with Smith's bristling wit they slouch, moan and yuk their way through an average day at the Quickstop. They handle everything from a flyblown,cancerous lung on the counter to a dead (formerly masturbating) customer in the john, with a low rent panache that never fails to bring the funny.
The movie remains, by far, the best study of hopeful souls trapped by hopeless situations. Drifting along, intelligent enough to recognise the squalor of their situation, but lacking the faith in themselves to make that break for freedom. Dante's miserable, oppressed dreamer is distracted (and fuelled) by Randal's razor sharp, customer baiting cynic...it's one of cinemas most pleasing double acts. Indeed, when Randal finally snaps at Dante's incessant whining there is real emotion there. His berating of Dante's procrastinating hand-wringing has a real depth...unexpected (but no less welcome) for a "low brow" comedy. We really hear Randal's pain, his flinty cynicism slipping for the first and only time, and we also hear his evident love for his friend...a standout moment for Jeff Anderson here.
If you haven't seen it...WHY? Get thee to the Quickstop instantaneously and luxuriate in the wonder of "The Milk Maids" "Jay and Silent Bob" and "The Asian design Major"... it'll all make sense when you get there!
Excelsior Out!
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