Those of you that are part of "Generation X" already know that this is a classic that represents a (so called) slice of life but for others this is still a small film that manages to touch a nerve even though it appears to be just a comedy. Story takes place in Asbury Park, New Jersey where we see Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) who is called in on his day off to run the convenience store he's employed at and right next door is a video store that's operated by Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) who keeps closing up to spend time with Dante.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Dante has a difficult day running the store not only because of the aggravation of working on his day off but he has trouble with his girlfriend Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) after discussing her sexual history. He also has to deal with the annoying customers that come in, not being able to play hockey, a customer dying in the bathroom, getting a citation for selling cigarettes to a 4 year old, hearing about an old girlfriend (Lisa Spoonhauer) getting engaged and than having her show up to talk, and Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes & Kevin Smith) who hang outside the door and deal drugs.
This is the first film of Kevin Smith who actually worked in the same video store that's portrayed and after a viewing of "Slackers" was inspired to be a director. The script and story are loosely connected to "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri (note the first name) and it's 9 rings of hell which is represented with 9 chapters in the film. The film is largely constructed around the character Dante and the conversations that he engages in and while many critics consider this provocative I think it falls more in line with being reverent. While much of the film demonstrates silly scenarios and odd characters I think it's very funny that a young filmmaker like Smith could actually intertwine "The Divine Comedy" for Generation X! I'm not one that thinks this is some groundbreaking independent film but it does show that Smith has a good knack in terms of writing dialog and that he's a young filmmaker that we would continue to hear from.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** Dante has a difficult day running the store not only because of the aggravation of working on his day off but he has trouble with his girlfriend Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) after discussing her sexual history. He also has to deal with the annoying customers that come in, not being able to play hockey, a customer dying in the bathroom, getting a citation for selling cigarettes to a 4 year old, hearing about an old girlfriend (Lisa Spoonhauer) getting engaged and than having her show up to talk, and Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes & Kevin Smith) who hang outside the door and deal drugs.
This is the first film of Kevin Smith who actually worked in the same video store that's portrayed and after a viewing of "Slackers" was inspired to be a director. The script and story are loosely connected to "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri (note the first name) and it's 9 rings of hell which is represented with 9 chapters in the film. The film is largely constructed around the character Dante and the conversations that he engages in and while many critics consider this provocative I think it falls more in line with being reverent. While much of the film demonstrates silly scenarios and odd characters I think it's very funny that a young filmmaker like Smith could actually intertwine "The Divine Comedy" for Generation X! I'm not one that thinks this is some groundbreaking independent film but it does show that Smith has a good knack in terms of writing dialog and that he's a young filmmaker that we would continue to hear from.